Kirinyaga County is implementing an intensive training program for tomato farmers on safe and sustainable pest management, aiming to reduce reliance on harmful agrochemicals. Initiated by Governor Anne Waiguru, this program equips farmers with skills in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to combat destructive pests like Tuta absoluta, improving crop quality and farmer health.

• The training, in partnership with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), focuses on biological pest control and biopesticides.
• Tomato production in Kirinyaga has significantly increased from 46,000 tonnes in 2017 to 116,000 tonnes today, generating approximately Ksh. 6.9 billion annually for farmers.
• Farmers are adopting non-chemical methods, including pheromone traps and biopesticides, leading to reduced costs and increased profits, as reported by farmers like Lucy Wanjiku and Stephen Munene.