Kenyan Farmers Remove Killer Weed Striga Through Environment-Friendly Process

(3 Minutes Read)

According to Michael Njagi, Productivity and Climate Resilience Officer at the World Food Programme (WFP), striga affects approximately 320,000 hectares in Kenya and 1.4 million hectares across East Africa, causing crop yield losses of up to 10%.

Striga, a killer weed, is threatening agriculture in Kenya. It cannot be destroyed, whereas it destroys and stifles the growth of crops. The more one tries to uproot it, the more it multiplies.   It is a major threat to food security in Western Kenya, an area with the potential to be the country’s breadbasket.

According to Michael Njagi, Productivity and Climate Resilience Officer at the World Food Programme (WFP), striga affects approximately 320,000 hectares in Kenya and 1.4 million hectares across East Africa, causing crop yield losses of up to 10%.

Around 30-40 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by the weed, with losses amounting to nearly USD 7 billion annually according to the WFP. Striga is a significant barrier to food security and a threat to farmers’ investments, as it can lead to a total crop loss of up to 100 per cent.

To combat the problem, farmers are increasingly turning to Kichawi Kill, a fungal bioherbicide developed by the Kenya-based social enterprise The Toothpick Company. Unlike chemical herbicides, which can lead to resistance and environmental contamination, this bioherbicide uses a naturally occurring fungus to attack striga’s root system, preventing it from absorbing water and nutrients.

Farmers using Kichawi Kill reportedly saw improvements in their yields. The bioherbicide is preferred because, unlike chemical herbicides, it does not harm the environment, other crops and animals, or soil health.

The WFP and the Farm to Market Alliance have partnered with The Toothpick Company to scale up the adoption of Kichawi Kill. Farmers are trained in Western Kenya by setting up demonstration plots.

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 So far, more than 12,000 farmers have been reached, with 1,500 acres treated. The goal is to introduce bioherbicide to 110,000 smallholder farmers in Western Kenya by 2025, with expansion plans targeting Uganda, Ethiopia, and Cameroon.