Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, has advocated for international measures to eliminate hazardous agricultural chemicals, stating that substances deemed unsafe in certain nations should not be permitted in markets with less stringent regulations.
Kagwe emphasized that governments, regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and international entities should align their standards concerning agricultural chemicals and prioritize the wellbeing of farmers.
During the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) General Assembly in Nairobi, the CS highlighted how farmers in developing nations continue to encounter chemicals that have been restricted or prohibited elsewhere due to health and environmental concerns.
“The global community cannot maintain a dual standard regarding agricultural chemicals,” Kagwe stated.
“If a pesticide is considered too dangerous for use in one country because it presents unacceptable risks to human health or the environment, it should not be sold elsewhere simply because farmers have less financial means or regulations are less robust.”
The CS stressed that the lives and health of farmers in developing countries should be valued equally to those of farmers in developed economies.
“The life of an African farmer holds no less value than the life of a farmer in other regions of the world. The health of consumers in developing countries is just as important as the health of consumers anywhere else,” he emphasized.
Kagwe noted that unsafe agricultural chemicals and counterfeit farm inputs continue to endanger food safety, public health, environmental sustainability, and access to international markets.
He called for enhanced cooperation among governments, regulators, manufacturers, traders, and farmers to combat the illegal trade, counterfeiting, and improper use of agricultural inputs.
“Unsafe chemicals entering our markets through unofficial channels erode public trust, threaten export opportunities, and expose farming communities to avoidable dangers,” he warned.
The CS indicated that safeguarding farmers should extend beyond initiatives to enhance productivity and market access.
“Food safety originates at the farm level. Consumer confidence begins at the farm. Public health starts at the farm. Therefore, protecting farmers must commence with protecting their wellbeing,” he said.
Kagwe also encouraged the international community to place farmers at the core of agricultural policy deliberations, noting that discussions on food security, climate adaptation, financing, and productivity often neglect the welfare of farmers.
“The farmer has become the absent center in agricultural discussions. This Assembly must therefore address more than food systems. It must focus on the individuals who sustain those food systems,” he stated.
He further pointed out disparities within the global agricultural sector, noting that farmers in developed countries frequently receive substantial public support while smallholder farmers in developing nations compete with limited assistance.
Kagwe argued that investment in farmers should be regarded as an investment in economic growth, food security, and national stability.
The CS also called for reforms in agricultural financing, urging financial institutions to create products tailored to agricultural requirements, including crop cycles, climate-related risks, and long-term investments.
He highlighted Kenya’s initiatives to modernize agriculture through technology and data-driven systems, including the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS), which he said is enhancing service delivery, digital subsidies, traceability, and planning.
Kagwe stated that technology should be utilized to support farmers and encouraged researchers to ensure innovations are transformed into practical solutions applicable on farms.
The World Farmers’ Organisation General Assembly has gathered leaders of farmers’ organizations, policymakers, development partners, and agribusiness representatives from various countries to deliberate on issues affecting the agricultural sector.