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History of Pythrum in East Africa

History

History

Pyrethrum growing flourished in East Africa

Pyrethrum history in East Africa can be traced back to the post-World-War II era, where for several political and economic reasons, Pyrethrum growing flourished in East Africa. English and American interests introduced pyrethrum cultivation to East Africa during World War II to replace flower production lost during fighting in China. As a result, Kenya and Tanzania became prime growing regions. MGK licensed extraction and refining technology to the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (“PBK”), which became a leading producer of pyrethrum in East Africa. PBK’s headquarters and production facility is located in Nakuru, Kenya. PBK collects flowers from growers in several regions in Kenya.

Producers in East Africa succeeded in growing pyrethrum for several reasons. The pyrethrum plant thrives at high altitudes and in volcanic soil. There are many growing regions in East Africa with good combinations of altitude, rainfall and soil conditions. Additionally, the people living in many of these areas are not able to grow crops to sell for cash. Pyrethrum provides a cash crop that supplements subsistence farming. The cash earned from pyrethrum funds school uniforms, books, supplies and other essentials.

Governments in East Africa are renewing efforts to revive the ailing pyrethrum subsector in order to bring back the boom that had made the region the epicentre of global production. With demand on the rise for the cash crop that is used in the production of organic insecticides, countries in East Africa are determined to revive pyrethrum farming and propel the subsector to the pinnacle of poverty eradication and economic growth.

The push to revive the subsector that was once a top foreign exchange earner is gaining traction as agrichemical manufacturers are increasingly gravitating toward products with low mammalian toxicity and zero-residue bio pesticides, particularly for horticulture and floriculture farming.

Moreover, the use of pyrethrum in the manufacture of medical care and personal care products is driving demand that is projected to accelerate by about 2% in the medium term, propelling consumption from 11,000 metric tons currently to 14,000 metric tons by 2025, according to market research by Index Box.

Pyrethrum

Potential uses of Pyrethrum

The pyrethrum is friendly to the environment than many synthetic insecticides. This makes it famous and popular. Its specific insecticidal properties known as pyrethrins have the following habits.

  • A unique “Knock down” effect on insects,
  • Unlike many synthetic insecticides, pyrethrums have unparalleled safety record when used,
  • Pyrethrins are environmentally friendly. They have no harmful residues in the food chain,
  • Few cases have been reported on insects building significant resistance to pyrethrum application,
  • Have a repellant effect on insects.
  • A pinch of grist can as well control stalk borers in field maize.
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