December 2020 Vol. 8 No.12

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Michura EG

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Original Research Article

Scientific Bio-pesticides; Is it the 21st Century Agricultural solution to Tragedized Commons in Kenya?

Dr. Eliud Garry Michura

Kabarak University

Email: emichura@kabarak.ac.ke
 
Received: 28 November 2020  I  Accepted: 21 December 2020  I  Published: 28 December 2020  I  Article ID: MRJASSS-20-050
Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Abstract

Pesticides have been extensively used in modern agriculture and are effective and economical in enhancing the yield quality and quantity, thus ensuring food security for the ever-growing population around the globe. In recent times, excessive use of both synthetic pesticide and herbicides has overwhelmed the ecosystem function and ecological food chain has been interrupted resulting in degradation of the environment. In this research article, an attempt has been made to critically review the global usage of different pesticides and their major adverse impacts on ecosystems and application of biopesticides as alternative to already tragedized commons. Historically, botanical pesticides have been used in the early dawn of domestication of agricultural products and are being development every day in search of alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Long use of chemical pesticides although effective in eliminating most of the known pests are on the other hand are toxic to the biodiversity including human health. Continuous accumulation of residues and non-biodegradable state has contributed to negative developments besides their effectiveness in eliminating the pests. Some of the pests have also developed resistance and become hard to control. In the wake up of these facts, the environmentalists and scientists are in both in agreement to collaborate to lean towards the safe use of biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives which can be both effective and less harmful to the environment. Botanical (organic) pesticides extracted from plant materials are likely to fill this gap and help mitigate environmental concerns arising from the use of synthetic materials as pesticides. In Kenya, close to 70% of household activities are in farming and 65% of agricultural production is practiced by small holder farmers. Majority (60%) of farmers use both synthetic pesticides and organic fertilizers despite the fact that, these chemicals present serious challenges to the environment and human health. Biopesticides are not being used by farmers in Kenya is because their formulation and commercialization are a challenge in chemical data and positive control. Besides that, smallholder farmers may be less aware of the potentiality of the biopesticides or they may have the perception that, synthetic pesticides act quickly and more effective. The study used various scientific research platforms and analysis tools to collect recent findings which has been perused and synthesized. The goal is to find ways of mitigating environmental concerns arising from overuse and misuse of inorganic chemicals in agricultural industry which threatens the sustainability of the planet earth.

Keywords: Biopesticides, Chemical companies, Food basket, Tragedy of the commons, Small scale farmers