Agricultural experts have called on the government to urgently prioritise organic farming, warning that increased consumption of chemically produced foods is fueling the rise in lifestyle diseases and certain cancers in the country.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of students pursuing organic studies at the College of Sustainable Agriculture for Eastern Africa in Kilimambogo, Thika East, Kiambu County, the experts said Kenya was at a crossroads in matters food safety and public health.
The ceremony, attended by students, farmers, and stakeholders in sustainable agriculture, was led by Ngugi Mutuura, Director of Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Programme (SACDEP).
He challenged the government to support institutions and organizations championing organic farming, terming it a viable solution to both unemployment and the growing health crisis.
“We are raising a red flag. The food we are consuming today is increasingly becoming toxic due to excessive use of fertilizers and harmful chemicals,” Mutuura said.
“Some agricultural entrepreneurs driven by get-rich-quick motives are using chemicals to ripen crops quickly for the market without considering the long-term health consequences.”
He linked the trend to the rising cases of what he described as “strange cancers” and lifestyle disease outbreaks, saying the country risks turning food into poison if urgent action is not taken.
Mutuura criticized policies that promote subsidized fertilizers and genetically modified (GMO) seeds without equal emphasis on organic alternatives.
He claimed Kenya has increasingly become a destination market for agro-chemicals that are restricted elsewhere.
“It is worrying that we are encouraging a model that prioritizes yield at the expense of health. We need clear policies that protect organic farming and ensure separation between organic and GMO produce,” he said.
“Products must be clearly labeled on supermarket shelves to allow consumers to make informed choices.”
He further urged the government to invest in training institutions such as the College of Sustainable Agriculture for Eastern Africa, noting that organic farming has the potential to create employment opportunities for thousands of young people.
The chief guest at the ceremony Dr. Annette Massman from Germany echoed the sentiments, urging the youth to embrace organic farming as both a career and a business opportunity.
“Organic food plays a significant role in reducing lifestyle diseases, especially those linked to poor diet such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, certain cancers and digestive disorders,” she said.
However, she emphasized that the solution lies not merely in the label.
“It is not the word ‘organic’ that makes the difference, it is the overall quality and nutritional value of what we eat. We must return to natural, balanced diets and responsible farming practices,” she added.
The chief guest noted that the college, unique in its focus on sustainable and organic agriculture, has in recent years attracted students from highland, arid and semi-arid regions, including pastoral communities seeking climate-resilient farming methods.
Graduates TV that included Meshack Mutata expressed optimism that their skills would help transform agriculture in their communities by promoting soil health, reducing dependency on chemical inputs, and improving food safety standards.
The school principal Ruth Mukiri however cited lack of organic agriculture institutions saying private entities must chip in to bridge the gap. She maintained that with proper policy backing, public awareness, and investment in organic value chains, Kenya could improve the health of its citizens while simultaneously addressing youth unemployment and environmental degradation.
Mukiri said the future of agriculture, they said, must not only feed the nation, it must safeguard its health.
