African Farmers Urged to Embrace Natural Pest Control Methods for Environmental Conservation

By Daniel Itai

African farmers have been urged to utilize natural enemies of pests instead of relying on chemical pesticides in order to conserve the environment.

Improper use of chemical pesticides can harm the environment and human health, making it imperative to seek environmentally friendly alternatives, according to Chimimba David Phiri, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa.

Environmental experts emphasize that employing biological control and biologicals in pest management in agricultural production is an approach to reduce the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and their associated adverse effects on human health and the environment.

“By utilizing natural enemies of pests, such as predatory arthropods and beneficial microorganisms, we can mitigate pest problems and restore the delicate balance of ecosystems while sustainably protecting crop health,” said Phiri.

Furthermore, Kenneth Mwangi, Project Lead for the Platform on Transboundary Pests from the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), stated that climate change has caused pests to become more migratory, while endemic plant pests are spreading and multiplying in the region.

“Adopting biopesticides and improving engagement at technical and policy levels is important to tackle food insecurity through the food systems approach. Managing transboundary pests while ensuring environmental safety is crucial. When scientists work with or through nature to control emerging challenges like pest invasions, the benefits are economic, environmental, and for human health,” said Mwangi.

Globally, crop losses due to pests are increasing at an alarming rate, necessitating the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.