DR MBUGUA: When farmers fall prey: Unmasking the crisis of counterfeit agrochemicals

In the hands of a Kenyan farmer, every seed represents hope, hope for a bountiful harvest, for school fees, for meals on the table, and for dignity earned through honest work.

But that hope is being steadily eroded by counterfeit agrochemicals that promise growth but deliver disappointment.

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority’s (ACA) 2025 national surveys confirm a growing crisis. Agriculture remains the most affected sector when it comes to counterfeiting in Kenya.

According to a consumer-level survey, an overwhelming 89.16% of respondents identified agricultural inputs, especially pesticides and herbicides, as the most frequently counterfeited products they encounter.

This figure is not just a statistic; it is a warning. It reveals a threat deeply embedded in our food systems, affecting millions of farmers and consumers alike.

In rural markets across Bungoma, Meru, Machakos, and Makueni, farmers often unknowingly purchase fake inputs that resemble trusted brands. These products, typically sold at lower prices through unregulated channels, may contain either no active ingredients or substances that harm crops and degrade soil.

The result is not only crop failure, it is financial loss, food insecurity, and discouragement that pushes many farmers out of agriculture altogether.

The firm-level survey reinforced these concerns. Agrochemical companies and licensed distributors reported increasing challenges from counterfeit products infiltrating their supply chains and retail networks. These companies highlighted significant losses, not just in profits, but in trust. Farmers lose confidence in genuine products when counterfeits fail. Retailers suffer reputational damage. The entire agricultural value chain is undermined. When that happens, it is not only private businesses at risk, it is national food security.

Perhaps the most concerning insight from the ACA survey is this, while awareness is high, reporting remains low. Over 83.85% of Kenyans surveyed said they are aware of counterfeit products, and most could identify the sectors where they are most common. Yet many do not take action.

The survey showed that 36.08% of consumers who encounter counterfeit goods do not report them, believing nothing will be done. Another 26.86% are unsure where or how to report. This gap between awareness and response creates room for counterfeiters to thrive, particularly in areas where enforcement is weak and informal trade is prevalent.

The distribution pattern of counterfeit agrochemicals reflects the broader problem. A majority, 60.48%, are sold through informal traders, kiosks, and street vendors. For many farmers in remote regions, these are the most accessible points of purchase. Without effective regulation, these networks enable counterfeit products to enter the legitimate supply chain. By the time the damage becomes apparent, recovery is often impossible.

The national cost of counterfeit trade is staggering. Kenya is estimated to lose Sh153 billion annually to counterfeit goods across all sectors, with agriculture among the hardest hit. But these losses go beyond economics. They affect the farmer whose crops fail despite their hard work, the child who misses school fees after a bad harvest, and the family that endures hunger due to ineffective inputs.

This is not a battle the ACA can fight alone. We are collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and law enforcement agencies to increase market inspections, seize illegal products, and prosecute offenders.

However, enforcement alone is not enough. We are also investing in public awareness campaigns, working with farmer cooperatives, and rolling out mobile-based product authentication technologies that enable farmers to verify products before purchase.

To make meaningful progress, we need collective effort. Manufacturers must improve product traceability and secure their packaging. Agrodealers must stock responsibly and educate their customers. Community leaders can help raise awareness, while the media can shine a light on farmers' experiences. Most importantly, consumers, especially farmers, must speak up and report suspicious goods.

Agriculture is the heartbeat of Kenya. It feeds our nation, fuels our economy, and sustains our rural communities. To protect it, we must tackle the menace of counterfeit agrochemicals with urgency, innovation, and shared responsibility.

We cannot afford to let another planting season pass without action. The data is clear. The stories are real. And the time to act is now.