Chinese chemicals to help farmers

In Kenya, where European agrochemicals dominate, products from China provide a high-quality, lower-cost alternative

Farmers and consumers will benefit from Kenya importing more Chinese agrochemicals, which will promote competition and lower prices, according to attendees at a recent trade fair in Western Kenya.

The two-day trade exhibition was organized by China International Trade Promotion Council of the Chemical Industry.

Those at the fair agreed, however, that more China-backed agrochemical exhibitions are needed to deepen Chinese understanding of the market. It was the first time the organizers held an event in Africa.

European brands that often are costly, and sometimes out of reach of small-scale farmers who are the biggest buyers, hold a near monopoly in Kenya, but attendees said that would change with greater availability of Chinese chemicals.

Twenty-eight out of the 30 exhibitors at the China International Agrochemicals and Crop Protection Exhibition Africa were Chinese. It let them learn about customer needs and government procedures that had previously seemed like barriers.

"Agrochemicals from China are relatively minimal in a market that demands quality products at relatively friendly costs," says Joseph Walukau, senior lecturer in horticultural sciences at Egerton University, where the event was held. The university is located in Njoro in the Rift Valley area.

"I think Chinese manufacturers and suppliers are ideally placed to service this market," adds Walukau, director of international linkage programs and the Confucius Institute at the university.

The institution is renowned regionally for agricultural research. It draws graduate students from central and western Africa.

Kenya Pest Control Products Board had by 2014 approved registration of 1,272 pest control products. About two 284 pesticides registered are produced by Chinese companies, representing 22.4 percent. The country has attracted international pesticide companies from 32 countries including Germany, India, Japan, the United States and Switzerland.

"Marketing in Africa is through referrals," says Vicky Zhang, International Business Department regulatory affairs assistant of Jiansu Good Harvest-Weien Agrochemical Co.

Zhang says glysophate, an active ingredient in their herbicide, is low in toxicity, a big issue to farmers, as well as being reasonably priced.

It is popular in Nigeria and Egypt, where it was launched during 2010 and 2011, says Zhang. "We have recorded increased exports to these two African countries over the last two years."

They attended to survey market needs. Their target is, among others, tea farmers. "We are also looking for distributors and large-scale farmers who can import our products in bulk quantities."

Uncertainties caused the manufacturer to spread its risks by entering East Africa. "Timely payments and currency fluctuations have been some of the challenges we are experiencing in these markets. However, we are not deterred and are determined to further our market share in Africa," she says.

The continent is battling serious food insecurity due to climate change, declining investments in research and development, poor government extension services, lack of awareness in use of agrochemical products and waning interest in farming, coupled by a drop in available land due to population growth.

Modern farming practices such as use of hybrid plants dependent on agrochemicals and irrigation have promised increased yields. They also have elevated concerns of environmental and health damage from chemicals.

But according to Shengping Zhu, sales manager of Iprochem Co Ltd, research and development has led to sustainable manufacturing of high quality and reliable chemicals. "Our products have proven low residual or little soil activity and this is why we are supplying many global companies," says Shengping.

She says they have met stringent requirements of regulators in some African companies.

"We have been able to make inroads in Tanzania, Ghana, Sudan, Madagascar and Cote d'Ivoire, where we assist our clients with all the requirements needed for registration. Our clients in 60 countries have been able to do this successfully," she says. Iprochem has 60 registered certificates in China, 20 in Ukraine, 14 in Russia, 300 in Thailand. seven in Vietnam and one in Malaysia.

They have yet to acquire a registration certificate in Kenya. "The country is very particular, hence making the process lengthy and stringent as they need detailed reports, some of which we have yet to acquire. Acquisition is costly and a continuous process."

She says their African clients are satisfied. "In Madagascar, we have recorded a 100 percent increase in export quantity since we started two years ago."

But the difficulties of the process have not halted the entry of Chinese agrochemicals. Stephen Ayungo, managing director of Merrychen Co, located in Eldoret in Western Kenya, says he registered a Chinese product recently. He contacted the company online and they send a sample for testing. "The targeted vegetable has two seasons and hence it had to be tested twice," says the agrochemical expert. After getting a green light from the regulator, he imported a sample that underwent thorough study at Egerton.

"Its chemical efficacy and yield effect were guardedly followed. It was then compared with an existing product from Europe and was declared excellent. I intend to receive my first batch in November, ready for next year's planting season."

Ayungo says he had experienced a communication breakdown with several Chinese firms, but the trade fair helped. "I have made inroads with one company whose executive has helped me. I am also exposed to several others too," he says.

Isabel Dong, a director with the main event organizers, says although their events are globally known, Africa has not hosted one. "We bring together producers and exporters from more than 150 countries every year. But we could no longer ignore the strategic position Kenya holds in the Belt and Road Initiative. This is therefore a start for many more," she says.

Stakeholders have previously complained of difficulties in market entry due to lack of clear information in the registration process, she says. "This forum has therefore provided an abundance in information on the agricultural practices used and market potential of the region."

Contact the writers through lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn