NAIROBI, Kenya — The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has launched a pilot programme for the Biological Crop Protection Access (BioCOPPA) Index in Kenya as part of efforts to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable pest control solutions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the board said it had convened regulators, researchers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the pest control sector for a workshop focused on rolling out the BioCOPPA Index in the country.
According to PCPB, the BioCOPPA Index is designed to help countries evaluate their preparedness for the adoption of biopesticides and biocontrol technologies while creating an enabling environment for integrating Biological Crop Protection Products (BCPPs) into agricultural systems.
“The BioCOPPA Index is a strategic tool that helps countries assess their readiness for the adoption of biopesticides and biocontrol solutions,” the board said.
The initiative is expected to support Kenya’s broader push toward sustainable agriculture by encouraging safer alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides, which have increasingly faced scrutiny over environmental and public health concerns.
The implementation of the index in Kenya will be jointly coordinated by PCPB alongside several international and regional partners, including the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, CropLife Africa Middle East, CropLife Kenya, and IBMA Kenya.
The workshop brought together key actors within the crop protection industry to discuss regulatory readiness, scientific research, market access, and policy frameworks needed to support the transition toward biological crop protection methods.
Biopesticides and biological pest control solutions are increasingly being promoted globally as sustainable alternatives because they are derived from natural materials such as microorganisms, plants, and certain minerals.
PCPB said the BioCOPPA Index pilot marks a major step toward advancing the use of biological alternatives in Kenya’s agriculture sector.
“Pest Control Products Board remains committed to promoting safe, effective and environmentally sustainable pest control solutions,” the regulator said.
Meanwhile, one suspect was arraigned before the Loitokitok Law Courts and formally charged with smuggling unregistered pesticides from Tanzania.
The accused was intercepted at the Nkama Police Roadblock while transporting the illicit products to Kimana and Mashuru.
He entered a plea of not guilty and was released on cash bail of Sh 300,000, or alternatively a bond of Sh 500,000 with a surety of equal value.
The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) further warned all traders that smuggling or dealing in unauthorised pest control products is a criminal offence. Any individual found engaging in such activities will be prosecuted and subjected to the full force of the law.
