Towards a regulatory framework for increased and Sustainable use of bio-fertilizers in kenya

Abstract

To meet the increasing food demand for a growing population, chemical fertilizers play an important role in enhancing crop productivity. However, continuous use of chemical fertilizers has caused pollution of the environment. Bio-fertilizers are environmentally safe products that can be used to complement chemical fertilizers. Lack of policy and legal framework on bio-fertilizers has weakened monitoring and control mechanisms thus contributing to availability of low quality products in the Kenyan market. Thus, the regulation of bio-fertilizers is necessary to ensure availability of adequate quality products and an increased awareness and uptake by farmers. The aim of this study was to examine whether the current regulatory framework provides mechanisms for appropriate production and use of environmentally safe bio-fertilizers. Specifically, the study (i) investigated the level of uptake of bio-fertilizers among farmers; (ii) assessed different kinds of regulatory mechanisms used to regulate bio-fertilizers, (iii) explored best practices of corrective measures in other countries, and (iv) investigated strategies that could increase awareness and uptake of bio-fertilizers. The research involved field studies whereby primary data was collected through administration of questionnaires and interviews of key informants. Secondary data was obtained from relevant literature, and best practices were inferred from regulations in Canada and India. Three hundred farmers and thirty agro-dealers in ten villages were sampled to obtain information on bio-fertilizer uptake in Siaya County. Interviews were conducted with national and international nongovernmental organizations, industry players, regulatory bodies and Egerton University, which is involved in quality verification of bio-fertilizers. Only one farmer in the surveyed area (0.33 %) applied bio-fertilizer, indicating that the level of uptake of the products among farmers was very low. The major factors affecting the uptake in the area were lack of knowledge by farmers and agro-dealers, lack of product application knowledge, lack of demand and resistance to change. The regulatory bodies revealed that the current monitoring system is weak resulting in inefficient regulation of bio-fertilizers. Lack of a legal framework to enforce regulation has lead to infiltration of low quality products into the market. This is compounded by a lack of extensive research, training and market development that are necessary in enhancing awareness of the products. It is recommended that a comprehensive legal framework should be set in place to control for quality of products and increase awareness on proper use and benefits of bio-fertilizers