Pesticides: Chemistry, Manufacturing, Regulation, Usage and Impacts on Population in Kenya

Pesticide use in Kenya plays a critical role in socio-economic development because its economy depends heavily on agriculture, which contributes to 30% of the GDP and accounts for 60% of export earnings. For agriculture and public health vector control, the country relies on pesticides, most of which (95%) are formulated products imported from China, India and Germany as the top exporters. In this chapter, we present the chemistry, manufacturing, importation and regulatory processes regarding pesticides in Kenya as well as their usage and impacts. All the various categories, organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, pyrethroid, neonicotinod insectides, as well as fungicides, herbicides and biopesticides, which are used in the country, are considered. A total of 1,447 and 157, which include formulations and active ingredients, respectively, for use in agriculture and public health sectors, with sufficient information on their usages and toxicities, are listed on the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) database that is available to the public. A significant number of studies have been conducted in major agricultural regions, which have characterized pesticides, their toxicities, the types of crops and pests, the usage and human and environmental health risk indices, since the 2000, but the reports have not made any impacts on pesticide regulation, as some of the very toxic active ingredients, belonging to the WHO Class I and II, are still reported by farmers. However, a recent call from NGO’s made an impact in government and parliament, and a bill was introduced in 2020 with the aim of banning some of the toxic ones that have already been withdrawn from the EU market

Developing Global Leaders for Research, Regulation, and Stewardship of Crop Protection Chemistry in the 21st Century

To provide sufficient food and fiber to the increasing global population, the technologies associated with crop protection are growing ever more sophisticated but, at the same time, societal expectations for the safe use of crop protection chemistry tools are also increasing. The goal of this perspective is to highlight the key issues that face future leaders in crop protection, based on presentations made during a symposium titled “Developing Global Leaders for Research, Regulation and Stewardship of Crop Protection Chemistry in the 21st Century”, held in conjunction with the IUPAC 13th International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry in San Francisco, CA, USA, during August 2014. The presentations highlighted the fact that leaders in crop protection must have a good basic scientific training and understand new and evolving technologies, are aware of the needs of both developed and developing countries, and have good communication skills. Concern is expressed over the apparent lack of resources to meet these needs, and ideas are put forward to remedy these deficiencies.Keywords: sustainable agriculture, developing regions, training leaders, smart systems, stewardship, women in agriculture, crop protection, universities, nanopesticides, communications, GM crop

Technological tools for sustainable development in developing countries: The example of Africa, a review

The development of Africa including industrialization such as chemical production, urbanization, agriculture, waste disposal, and electric power generation has a direct and diverse effect on the environment. These activities require effective planning, consultation, evaluation, risk assessment and monitoring techniques. Diverse environmental impacts can arise out of planning, construction, operation, and end-life of such activities. Impacts of global climate change, photochemical smog, and radioactive emissions have a direct link to development projects. Nevertheless, there is intensive research and innovation geared towards integrating development activities and the environment so as to achieve sustainable development. Herein, we review some of the technological innovation breakthroughs in various fields that include the built environment, chemical production, toxicants, municipal wastes, and electricity. The concept of sustainable chemistry is also discussed. It is found that Africa is at an advantage towards achieving sustainable development as it can easily adopt refined technological tools from developed countries. For instance, the use of comprehensive strategic environmental assessment tools for proposed policies plans and programs and environmental impact assessment for projects can see Africa achieve sustainable development. Mitigation measures for problems such as hazardous waste from chemical industries can be minimized using technological tools such as incineration of solid wastes, biological treatment of wastewater, batch and semi-batch conventional distillation, entrainer-based distillation, physical adsorption, and extraction etc. However, it is noted that although Africa should adopt some of these technological tools to help accelerate its sustainable development agenda, regional and cultural differences must be incorporated in the adoption process