Kenya’s annual maize production could potentially double if farmers adopt modern innovations and effective pest control strategies, agricultural experts have expressed.

As of 2025, Kenyan farmers achieve an average maize yield of approximately two metric tonnes per acre, way behind Tanzania’s three metric tonnes and Zambia’s 3.5 metric tonnes per acre.

This productivity gap has forced Kenya to rely on substantial maize imports with over 164,184 metric tonnes imported in the first nine months of 2024 alone to meet the demands of its growing population.

To bridge this gap, agricultural stakeholders are encouraging farmers to use certified, environmentally friendly chemicals that enhance yields while minimising ecological harm. The push for sustainable practices comes amid challenges like the invasive fall armyworm, which has caused significant losses, estimated at up to a third of annual maize production estimated at one million tonnes.

General Managing Director of Rainbow Company in East Africa M.L. Sharma highlighted that improper use of chemicals remains a key barrier to higher yields. Speaking at a farmers’ field event in Naivasha that attracted over 5,000 farmers from all over Kenya, Sharma introduced a suite of cost-effective products to combat pests and diseases, including the fall armyworm.

“Kenya’s maize sector, which occupies over 40 per cent of cultivated land, has been severely impacted by pests like the fall armyworm. Our new chemical solutions can increase yields by up to 10 per cent while being 7 pr cent more cost-effective,” Sharma stated.

These products, including Europlus, Readout and Turncap, have shown promising results in maize, potato, and vegetable farming, according to Agatha Musau, a local distributor.

Musau emphasised their affordability and superior performance compared to other market options, making them accessible to smallholder farmers. Rainbow Company’s CEO, Wicky Wang, underscored the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability.

“Our products meet stringent Kenyan and global environmental standards, ensuring safety for both farmers and the ecosystem,” Wang said.

He added that the cutting-edge technology underpins these solutions, aiming to boost farmer incomes through higher productivity. David Njau, a coffee farmer from Kiambu County, praised the introduction of Five Star chemicals, which effectively control fungal infections in coffee trees, particularly during cold seasons.

“These affordable and readily available products are a game-changer for managing diseases that have long plagued coffee farmers,” Njau noted.

Recent initiatives, such as the Mbegu initiative in Trans Nzoia County, have also supported maize farmers by distributing high-quality seeds, contributing to a projected 10% production increase in 2024.

Additionally, agroecological approaches, like the use of bio pesticides such as Fawligen, a baculovirus-based solution licensed in Kenya, are gaining traction as alternatives to chemical pesticides, further reducing crop losses from fall armyworms.

As Kenya continues to battle pest challenges and import dependency, innovations like those from Rainbow Company, combined with government-backed programs, offer hope for a more productive and sustainable maize sector.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Erastus Gichohi