1. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AGROCHEMICALS ASSOCIATION OF KENYA

1.1. Vision

To be leader in the Safe Use of Public, animal and crop pest control products and protection of the environment.

1.2 Mission

To build comprehensive, sustainable capabilities of the sound product stewardship of public, animal, crop and environment care.

1.3 Core Values

(a) Professional stewardship in all technical and business issues.

(b) Transparency in all matters related to the industry.

(c) Integrity and reliability in service delivery.

(d) Product stewardship through safe use training.

(e) Service to members on pesticides legislations and regulations.

(f) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

1.4 Role and Mandate

The constitution of the Association mandates it to:

(a) Develop and implement a progressive, effective and sustainable training program in conformity with the Industry needs.

(b) Provide professional product stewardship from manufacture to use and or disposal.

(c) Develop and maintain a sustainable communication system that serves the interests and needs of the members, stakeholders and the public.

(d) Develop human physical and financial resources for the sustainability of the Association’s functions.

(e) Establish linkages for collaboration with Government, NGOs (Local, Regional and International) and other stakeholders in the Industry, on matters of mutual interests and concerns.

1.5 OBJECTIVES

The Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK) is the national representative of the International Agrochem Industry represented worldwide by CropLife International (formerly GIFAP). AAK is, therefore, the umbrella organization in Kenya for manufacturers, formulators, repackers, importers, distributors, farmers and users of pest control products (pesticides). The local association has existed in various names with the most recent being Pesticide Chemicals Association of Kenya (PCAK) since 1958. In 2005, the association registered CropLife Kenya as part of the global networking linkage into CropLife International. The Minister of Agriculture is the patron of the association.

The Association through an elected Executive Committee runs the affairs of the Agrochem Industry locally on the basis of the following objectives:

(a) Promoting of public education concerning the use of pesticides safely

(b) Providing an agency for liaison with government and others, on all matters of mutual interest.

(c) Considering and dealing with matters relating to customs duty, registration and labeling of pesticides, setting of standards in pesticides, following safety codes and promotion of the FAO Code of Conduct on distribution and sale of pesticides.

(d) Protecting of common trade interests of its members, where these are concerned with the manufacture, formulation and distribution of pesticides.

(e) Cooperating with all agencies seeking the improvement of Kenyan Agricultural and Pastoral Production and Environment.

(f) Encouraging and promoting just, fair and honorable practice, to oppose malpractice and illegal practices in the operation of the industry.

(g) Working with the government towards the regulation and importation of pesticides into the country and exports out of the country.

(h) Encouraging research in all areas that will improve the effective use of pesticides.

All these objectives of the Agrochem Industry were put in place after the industry recognized that it has social and environmental responsibilities to the consumer, user/worker and environment in general control of pesticides.

1.6 Management of the Association

1.6.1 Membership

Membership to the Association is open to those in the following categories:

a) Full Membership (subscription Kshs40,000, membership Kshs5000 and logo 500)

Full membership of the Association shall be open to any person or organization in Kenya whose main business is one of the following:

(i) Manufacturers of active ingredients used in the formulation of agricultural

Chemicals and related products.

(ii) Formulators contracted by manufacturers of active ingredients used in

the formulation of agricultural chemicals and related products.

(iii)Contracted representatives of manufacturers of active ingredients used

in the formulation of agricultural chemicals and related products not otherwise represented in Kenya.

(iv) Local manufacturers, formulators and repackers of pesticides

b) Associate Members (subscription Kshs10,000, membership Kshs5000)

This shall be open to those persons or corporations involved in the distribution and /or usage of pesticides and related products originating from suppliers described under sub-paragraph (a) above or other sources registered with Pest Control Products Board.

c) Growers & Parastatals (subscription Kshs20,000, membership Kshs5000)

This shall be open to any grower or farmer or Parastatals engaged in the agricultural production.

d) Non-Resident Membership (subscription US$ 500, membership US$67)

This shall be open to any manufacturer, trader or person who is not based in Kenya but is marketing pesticides through an appointed agent or agents.

e) Agriculture Research, Training and Consultancy (subscription Kshs20,000, membership Ksks5000)

This shall be open to researchers, trainers and consultants in agriculture field.

NB- Find the list of Members for 2009 attached.

1.6.2. The Executive Committee

(a) The Executive Committee of AAK is responsible for the management of the Association. It is composed of the following:

- Chairman

- Vice-chairman

- Treasurer

- Assistant Treasurer

- 4 members representing full members

- 2 members representing associate members

- 3 co-opted members

- Ex-Officio member (immediate former chairman)

- Secretary ( Chief Executive Officer)

b) Sub-Committees of the Executive Committee and Responsibilities

(i) Ethics, Liaison and Sustainability

- Maintain ethical practices among members

- Provide an agency for liaison with government and others

- Lobbying and advocacy

- Fake and counterfeit products management

- Smuggled products management

- Legislation and Regulations

- Affiliations to local, regional and international organizations

- AAK Constitution Review

(ii) Finance and Administration

a. Monitoring and evaluation

b. Human resource management

c. Capacity building

d. Data management

e. Debt and credit management

f. ICT

g. Finance and Administration Issues

h. Accounting Systems Review

i. Planning

j. Maintenance of sound budgets and controls

(iii) Training

a. Curriculum development

b. Coordination of all training activities

c. Promotion of public education concerning the safe use of pesticides.

d. Working with other organizations dealing with training

(iv) Environment and Safety

a. Environmental conservation

b. Waste management

c. Labelling pictograms and colour codes

d. Poison information and emergency management centres.

e. Personal protection and equipment standards development

f. Transportation requirements of pesticides.

g. Packaging standards.

(v) Communications

a. Public relations

b. Publicity of Association activities through print and electronic media

c. Awards and media campaign

d. Co-ordination of Annual Dinner

(vi) Distribution, Recruitment and Accreditation

a. Recruitment of new members

b. Accreditation of dealers, sales representatives, transporters, label printers and other people involved in pesticides

(vii) Animal Health

a. To advise AAK on all matters of animal health in collaboration with the Director of Veterinary Services, Pharmacy and Poison’s Board and Pest Control Products Board.

b. Acaricide use and disposal.

c. Curriculum for training in animal health.

(ix) Pest Control Services

d. Coordinate regulatory aspects for pest management organizations.

e. Implement code of conduct for pest management organizations

f. Identification and training on needs for pest control organizations.

g. Development of accreditation scheme for the pest management organizations.

The Agrochem Industry Association in Kenya was started by Pest Control Ltd founded in England by Dr. Ritter who had been granted contract to spray cotton in Sudan.  The company set up a base in Kenya in 1947 to overhaul spray equipment and by 1949 it began trading in Kenya.  Pest Control Ltd was joined by other four companies namely African Explosives and Chemical Industries (AE &CI) a subsidiary of International Chemical Industries (ICI), Fisons, Murphy Chemicals (Still members of the Association) and Shell Chemicals (a subsidiary of Shell Oil)

In the early 1950’s only five products were in the Kenyan market and were DDT, 2-4-D, TEPP, Tixol (Arsenic based) and Copper formulation probably Bordeaux mixture.  However, in the decade between 1950 and 1960, a veritable flood of new products entered the pesticide market.  By 1958, the government of Kenya was trying to establish standards in the local formulations particularly in dusting powders.  It was then that Mr. Phil Clinton of Twiga (Successor of AE & CI), Mr. Jim Paddock of Fisons, who had bought out Pest Control Limited, Mr. Tom Rowland of Murphy Chemicals and Mr. Harvey Storm of Shell Chemicals held a meeting and decided to create an organization so as to be able to show a joint approach when discussion with the government.  They were joined by R. O Hamilton and set up agreements with the main distributors in market at the time namely: Kenya Farmers Association (KFA), B.E.A. Corporation (Owners of Mitchel Cotts and Simpson and Whitelaw Seed Merchants).

Soon after, a new local company Kleenway Chemicals  founded by Mr. John Roach and Henk Shottmann entered  the market and created strong competition through price undercutting.  This did not endear well with the “big boys” who in turn formed the “Copper Club” in an attempt to do something about the new invader.  Thereafter other new competitors joined in the fray.  It is for this reason despite all sorts of stories about pesticide cartel that it has been impossible for any group of companies to fix prices, as there is soon a lean and hungry competitor waiting to undercut prices. The “Copper Club” then transformed itself to Pesticide Chemical Association of East Africa in 1958 and hence the birth of the industry association.

The advent of independence in the early1960’s saw the emergence of small scale farmer, cooperative societies.  Thus the need to repack pesticide products into smaller packs and with subsequent need for training on products and their application to the small scale market.  In addition, many new foreign companies amongst them Hoechst, BASF, Montedision, DuPont, American Cyanamid, Ciba Geicy, May & Baker as well as several local companies entered the market.  All these entrants added to the swirl of activities and were invited to join the burgeoning group known as the Pesticide Chemicals Association of East Africa.

The 1970 saw the creation of East African Federation and the Association retained the name Pesticide Chemicals Association of East Africa.  However in 1977, following the collapse of the East African Community, the association name was changed to Pesticide Chemicals Association of Kenya (PCAK)

The Pesticide Chemicals Association of Kenya registered its logo as a sign of quality in the early 1980s.  During this period the Association registered the Association’s logo with Registrar of Companies at the Attorney General’s Office.  It was during this same period that the Government of Kenya initiated the process of enacting the pesticide law. In 1982, the Pest Control Products Act, Cap 346 was enacted to regulate the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution and use of products for the control of pests and the organic functions of plants and animals and for connected purposes.  The Pest Control Products Act was operationalised in 1984.  In order to meet the challenges identified in the new pesticide regulations, the association set up training courses on safe and effective use of pesticides.  The Association initiated public sector partnership on training with stakeholders notably the Pest Control Products Board and the Ministry of Agriculture on safe and effective use of pesticides.

The 1990s saw the launch of Safe Use Project and need for the industry to develop product stewardship programmes.  This brought about considerable changes in the pesticide marketing techniques and methodology.  During that period, the Association invited into Kenya two instructors from Wolvechampton Polytechnic in the United Kingdom to train the first trainers on safe use of pesticides, in what was to become a major operation in Kenya.  The success of this training programme encouraged the global federation GIFAP to agree to come to Kenya to start the Safe Use Project in 1991.

The GIFAP Safe Use Project provided lead in demonstrating how use of pest control products can be improved.  Through this project over 1,000,000 small scale farmers, agricultural extension personnel and pesticide distributors received training.  In 1997, the Pesticide Chemicals Association of Kenya name was changed to Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK) to reflect the widening interests of its members.

The 2000s witnessed global changes in the agrochemical industry.  The GIFAP changed the name to Global Crop Protection Federation (GCPF) and eventually to CropLife International.  This eventually resulted in the global reorganization of the industry and the formation of CropLife Africa Middle East to represent interests of Africa and Middle East Countries of which the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK) was a founder member.

There are other organizations representing CropLife International in other regions namely: CropLife America, CropLife Canada, CropLife Latin America, CropLife Asia, European Crop Protection Association and Japan Crop Protection Association.  This eventually resulted to the birth of CropLife Kenya in 2005 as an affiliate of Agrochemicals Association of Kenya and was to facilitate the international collaboration with global institutions in the aspects of industry sustainability.

The Chairmen of the local Agrochem Industry Association over the years are:

1. 1. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

For almost five decades now, the association has been a major spring board for advancing agricultural interests in the country.  Since its inception, the association in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders has successfully promoted safe, effective, environmentally friendly and profitable use of pest control products in Kenya.

Therefore the achievements of the Agrochem industry include:

(a)   Safe Use Training

The misconception regarding pesticide usage can be eliminated through training on safe and effective use of pesticides. The Association has in the past conducted training of farmers, pastoralists, stockists, industry staff, health workers and extension agents. Through CropLife International and its predecessors, the Association has trained over one million farmers, pastoralists, extension agents, distibutors and stockists. The training has been facilitated through joint partnerships with the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Health.

(a) Empty Pesticide Container Collection Progress

The Association with Lake Naivasha Growers Group initiated a successful program for the collection of pesticide containers with the objective of assisting the horticultural growers meet international standards for export market.  Through the program over 2 million pesticide containers were collected and disposed of safely.  This initiative has now been extended to cover other parts of the country.

(b) Obsolete Pesticide Safeguarding Project

The Association in conjunction with CropLife International and The Ministry of Agriculture is taking the inventory and safeguarding of obsolete pesticides in the country. (ongoing)

(c) Poison Information and Emergency Centre

The Association in collaboration with the Pest Control Product Board,  the Pharmacy and Poison Board, the Ministry of Health, the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital initiated a poison information and management program. The program has succeeded in (a) the development of a pesticide poisoning management chart (b) the training of a number of doctors and pharmacists on pesticide poisoning, (c)  the establishment of Poison Referral Centre at  Kenyatta National Hospital, and the establishment of two toll-free numbers based at the centre.

(d) Promotion of Better Environment

The Association has initiated an afforestation program to support tree planting in addition to the successful annual environmental award program that recognizes organizations and individual efforts in environmental conservation.

(f)           Industry Government Partnership

The Association collaborated with the Pest Control Products Board in the amendment and development of new Regulations under the Pest Control Products Act.

The regulations include:

-               The Pest Control Products (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006.

-               The Pest Control Products (Licensing of Premises) (Amendment) Regulation, 2006.

-               The Pest Control Products (Importation and Exportation) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006.

-               The Pest Control Products (Disposal) Regulations, 2006.

-               The Pest Control Products (Labelling, Advertising and Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006

-               Development of Industry Quality Mark together with PCPB and Kenya Bureau of Standards.

(g)        Regional Integration of Pesticide Industry

In addition, the association has continued support for regional integration of the pesticide industry. This has been exhibited by the AAK commitment to the East African collaboration and support of the harmonization of the pesticide registration in the East and Southern Africa. AAK is the convenor for the ongoing integration process for the East African Industry Association.  With a well organized regional institution, the industry will be able to continue with the fight against smuggling and adulteration of the pesticides.

(h)      Industry Sustainability

The Association has  successfully established and operationalized a levy fund to enhance and sustain industry activities AAK has also launched a program with sector ministries to strengthen the farmer/pastoralist field support services.

(i)         Promotion of New Technologies

AAK has continued to support new technologies in the field of agricultural production. These include the support for biotechnology and integrated pest management. The Association supports the Bio safety principals as articulated in the Bio safety policy. AAK successfully negotiated with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU_IBAR) on the commercialization and privatalization of ECF-ITM through the Technology Group of East Africa Limited (TEGEA) as the vehicle for vaccine distribution.

(j)                     Product Stewardship

In Kenya, the association has demonstrated its resolve to promote product stewardship through the member companies. The commitment with which the members of the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya have shown in promoting training of farmers and pesticide distributors as well as participation in the disposal of obsolete pesticides and containers is testimony of the level of commitment to the course. These achievements are exemplified by AAK winning the Golden Trophy for Quality, New Millennium Award for Excellence in Service in Paris, France in 200

1. 2. CHALLENGES

(a) The agrochemical industry continues to face new challenges each day. Some   of the present challenges include disposal of plastics, packaging materials, pesticide containers, pesticide wastes and cleaning of some “hot spots” contaminated by pesticides over the years.  The cost of handling such challenges is high and with limited financial resources, this is a huge task for the industry.  The association completed an empty pesticide containers survey during 2008 and identified the nature and scope of the problem. The association in collaboration with other stakeholders will formulate strategies to handle pesticide containers in the future.

(b) Also, most recently the risk of reintroducing DDT use in region remains a major threat to the Kenyan agriculture.  Even though Kenya Government has taken a commendable position of rejecting use of DDT, the product can find its way into the country through the porous borders that we share with other countries. The industry in collaboration with other stakeholders has to step up the search for integrated approach to deal with the problem of malaria control.

(c)   The other challenge is the increase of the counterfeit pesticides in the market. This poses a major risk to the country in terms of obsolete pesticide build up in addition to the economic loses to the farmer, industry and the country. In order to meet these challenges, the agrochemical industry continues the pursuance of sustainable pesticide management systems through collaborations with other stake-holders. This will remain the focus for the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya in order to ascertain its future.

1. 3. CONCLUSION

AAK has developed a 10 year Strategic Plan that was launched on 26^th March 2010.  The strategic plan will now define the future activities of the Association.

Constitution: A Brief

The constitution of the association was first drafted and written by Dr. Rocco, with the first constitutional change happening on 8th February 1972, on Rules No. 12 & 13 of the association, which stated that:

‘The Association comprises of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and two other elected members, with power to co-opt.’

The change of Rules No. 12 & 13 occurred due to the fact that Mr. P. K. S. Clinton (Chairman 1970-71), had ceased being a member since his term had expired. The committee felt that though his term had expired, his services were essentially needed for the year 1972-3. This therefore meant changing the part of the constitution that stated having ‘two elected members’ to ‘three.’ For this change to go into operation, a special AGM was to be carried out to make a decision and was approved.

The AGM was carried out and the constitution changed.

Another change that came about was to do with the issue of ‘Membership in the Association.’ It needed to be widened to include bona-fide distributors of pesticides. This meant adding to the constitution on Para 5D ‘…bona-fide distributors of reputable pesticides.’ The addition was noted received and accepted by the registrar of societies on 27th March 1979. A year later, on the same issue of membership, an amendment was made on section 5 of the constitution concerning membership. These changes were:

Full Membership: This was made open to any person or organisation in East Africa whose main business was as manufacturer; formulator or contracted representative of manufacturers of active ingredients used in the formulation of agricultural chemicals and related products.
Associate Membership: It was made open to those involved in the importation and distribution of pesticides and related products originating from suppliers described under (a) above.
This was accepted and agreed on.

Along with the change of the association’s name from Pesticides Chemical Association of East Africa (PCAEA) to Pesticides Chemicals Association of Kenya (PCAK), came also the change of the constitution. It was then proposed the following on 14th May 1988:

a) Registration fee to be introduced by the members.
b) A Raise in the subscription fee.
c) The code of ethics to be mentioned in the constitution.
d) Disciplinary Powers to be spelt out.
e) The role of elected members to be spelt out.
f) Nominated members to be reduced to three.

All these were done in the year at different times and were revised by the committee on 2nd December 1988 and forwarded to the Association’s lawyer for re-writing.

Other constitutional changes were made based on ‘Membership in the Association’ on 26th March 1993. They were as follows:

a) Article V (2) of Associate Membership was to be made open to those involved in distribution originating from suppliers.
b) Article X (1) was changed to have the elected members to be of 10 members.
c) Article X (10) on co-opted members was changed from 4 members to read 6 members.

Again on 12th September 1997, another change was made on the definition of:


a) Full Membership: Being an importer or a formulator.
b) Associate Membership: to be any bona-fide local distributor.

Another change concerned the ‘number of elected members in voting.’ It was suggested that 4 votes to be allowed for Full AAK members as opposed to 2 since they paid four times more than the Associate members. On 14th May 1999, the issue was decided upon to remain as it was and the Associate subscription fee was raised to Kshs. 20,000 to be the same as of a Full Member.

Training was done by the Safe Use project at first before the coming up of GIFAP. Between the period 1958 – 1971, the largest training that was conducted, branded as successful, was to BAT trainees, they were 25 in number, and this 25, trained 300 District Co-ordinators, whom went ahead to train 3000 farmers. This was all done in a span of four months.

At that time, the trainings were mainly concentrated towards the coffee farmers, since they were the ones that required training on the safe use of pesticides.

On September 6th 1982, it was confirmed that the safe handling of pesticides guideline was being drafted. By 5th November, it was confirmed by the training committee as ready and been rectified by the sub-committee and that it would be ready for distribution by 27th May 1983. Once approved, it was to be translated to Swahili.

Another draft was presented on 28th August 1983; these were pamphlets that would cost Kshs. 8,500 for the artwork for 500 copies. In the meeting, discussing on this issue, it was decided that an order was to be placed for 5,000 and 10,000 copies, and the draft to be sent to members for comments, which would be directed to Mr. Nduati directly.

On 13th April 1991, it was discussed and agreed to that a training programme would be published by AAK and BAT, and the subcommittee was asked to make a programme for May. It was also decided that donors needed to be approached for funding for the training.

On 6th December 1991, the Safe Use project was launched and by May, the project had already trained 200 SMS trainers, 800 farmer trainers and 5200 farmers.

During the meeting of 24th January 1992, responsibilities of training were divided. It was agreed that PCAK would handle training of industry personnel, retailers and the estate sector, while the Safe Use Project (SUP) would handle parastatals, government and farmer’s training.

By 1992, it was reported that the association had already trained 154 trainers, 56,023 farmers and 200 retailers, and by 1993, they had trained 157,000 farmers and 500 retailers.

On 13th May 1994, an issue arose, funding has ceased from Brussels for training, therefore an alternative for it was needed urgently.

During a meeting on 21st April 1995, it was reported that arrangements were being made with the University of Nairobi to hold Industry representative training courses for sales representatives for the smaller firms. The meeting for this was done on 28th –29th August 1995, at Silver Springs Hotel.

On 12th July 1996, it was noted that the association was not being informed of the trainings going on with the Safe Use Project (SUP). It was therefore decided that a programme was to be given to the association in due course before the trainings began so that the association would organise among the members who would attend them to see what was being done. In response to this, the SUP agreed supplied a tentative program to the association to enable interested members to be able to attend.

Another issue came at hand whereby it was felt that training on pesticides was needed to be coordinated through PCPB and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

A set up workshop was to be done in May 2000 for all NGO’s and others involved in Agrochemical training, and this was accomplished and done

By the year 2001, AAK has achieved a lot in terms of trainings in the country of safe use of pesticides. The progress of the association trainings is shown in the table below: