Understanding Pesticide Resistance: What Organic and Transition Farmers Must Know

Pesticide resistance is a growing global concern, and even organic and transitioning farmers in Kenya must stay alert. While organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides, many farms transitioning from conventional to organic still deal with pest pressure and might rely on biopesticides or naturally derived substances.

At Organic Farm Kenya, we believe understanding pesticide resistance is critical—whether you’re 100% organic or still in conversion.

What Is Pesticide Resistance?

This occurs when pests survive chemical or biological treatments, pass their traits to offspring, and form a harder-to-control population. It happens due to:

• Repeated use of the same product

• Inconsistent dosages

• Poor rotation of pest management strategies

Why Organic Farmers Should Care

While organic-approved products (like neem oil, Bt, and pyrethrin) are less aggressive than synthetics, they can still lose effectiveness over time if overused.

How to Prevent Resistance

At Organic Farm, we advocate for:

• Diverse pest control methods (e.g., trap crops, pheromone traps)

• Crop rotation to break pest cycles

• Intercropping with pest-repelling species like marigolds or garlic

• Using biopesticides responsibly and rotating active ingredients

• Encouraging natural predators like ladybirds, wasps, and birds

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Organic Farms

The best protection is IPM—a holistic system that combines:

• Monitoring (scouting)

• Preventive cultural practices

• Biological control agents

• Limited, targeted use of low-toxicity inputs

Whether you farm organically in Kiambu or practice zero-budget natural farming in Kilifi, resistance is a long-term threat. At Organic Farm Kenya, we’re here to help you build resilient ecosystems, not just pest-free fields.

Get free IPM guides and organic input sourcing at organicfarm.co.ke