How technology and reforms are powering revival of Kenya’s pyrethrum industry

Now, with renewed government interest, technological innovation, and private-sector partnerships, the crop is reclaiming its place in the country’s agricultural landscape.

However, it is still cultivated on a small scale in about 19 counties.

Speaking during the fifth National Agribusiness Summit, organised by the Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, key stakeholders emphasised the need for innovation, digitisation, and technology adoption to strengthen Kenya’s agricultural value chains.

They noted that the revival and growth of the pyrethrum industry would be spurred through the adoption of technological innovations.

“Innovation, technology, and digitisation will help revamp agriculture and address the challenges the sector is going through,” said ASNET CEO Agatha Thuo.

The annual summit was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, between October 22 and 23.

Held under the theme, “From Promise to Action: Advancing Agribusiness through Dialogue and Innovation,” Ms Thuo emphasised the importance of embracing modern farming practices, noting that industries such as pyrethrum—which have long been forgotten, can be revived through technology and innovation.

“We want to ensure our farmers, especially older ones, move away from conventional practices and embrace modern methods that will make us more competitive regionally and globally,” she said.

The government has been working to lower the cost of production through initiatives such as subsidised fertilisers, soil testing, and mechanisation.

The summit brought together national government leaders, private-sector players, development partners, academia, and farmer organisations to discuss actionable pathways for transforming Kenya’s agriculture into a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable agribusiness sector.

Stakeholders also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to create platforms for dialogue, especially when policies change.

Among the key exhibitors at the conference was the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK), a state-owned enterprise leading an effort to restore pyrethrum production to its former glory.

Collins Omondi, a research scientist and product development assistant at PPCK, said the company is committed to producing high-quality pyrethrum seeds and seedlings, processing dried flowers, and adding value through the manufacturing of pyrethrum-based products.

“Switching from conventional approaches, PPCK has diversified its product line, tapping into multiple sectors,” Mr Omondi told Seeds of Gold in an exclusive interview.

Its agricultural solutions include Pyagro, an organic pesticide for controlling sucking and biting insects in vegetables and fruits.

In the public health sector, Pareto Roach Spray targets cockroaches and bedbugs, while Paresol is effective against mosquitoes in both indoor and outdoor settings, a product that also supports anti-malaria campaigns across Africa.

“These value-added products are creating jobs at every stage,” Omondi explained. “We work with distributors, agents, and retailers across the country. Each agent employs sales and marketing staff, creating a ripple effect of employment across the value chain.”

Pyrethrum is prized globally for its natural insecticidal properties. It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic to humans and animals, and leaves zero chemical residues—making it ideal for use in agriculture, public health, and household pest control.

“Its properties as a pesticide make it ideal for promoting the debate on producing food organically,” Mr Omondi explained.

Currently, pyrethrum is grown in 19 counties, including Nakuru, Kericho, Nyandarua, Kisii, Nyamira, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Baringo.

Kenya, at the moment, is estimated to have about 5,000 active farmers—a far cry from the over 100,000 who cultivated the crop during its peak in the 1980s.

The country produces about 300 metric tonnes of dried pyrethrum flowers annually, from which 2 to 3 metric tonnes of refined extract are obtained after processing, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture. Half of this output is used locally, while the rest is exported to markets in Europe, the United States, and Asia.

Although official revenue figures remain confidential, the industry once contributed significantly to Kenya’s national budget—a proof to its immense potential.

The decline of the pyrethrum sector stemmed from a combination of factors: delayed payments to farmers, the emergence of cheaper synthetic insecticides, shrinking markets, and strict international regulations.

“Farmers lost faith because payments were not prompt. When synthetic alternatives flooded the market, consumers went for cheaper options, even though they were less sustainable,” Omondi admitted.

However, with ongoing reforms and renewed goodwill from the government, the tide is turning.

PPCK, he said, has rolled out programs to raise farmer awareness, engage youth groups, and expand acreage from the current 10,000 acres to an ambitious 70,000 acres in the coming years.

Stakeholders are also urging the government to allocate dedicated funding to the pyrethrum industry, just as it does for coffee, tea, and dairy in order to unlock its full potential.

Mr Omondi observed that the industry could employ up to 500,000 people across the value chain—from farmers and processors to transporters and exporters, emphasising the crop’s massive ripple effect if properly financed.

With ongoing efforts by the government, research institutions, and the private sector, optimism about the industry’s revival is high.

Young people are being urged to view pyrethrum farming not as an artefact of the past, but as a viable modern enterprise and an economically feasible venture.

[email protected]