New ISO-certified protective clothing for farmers launched in Kenya to enhance safety, comfort
What you need to know:
- The launch came after the completion of a study that involved over 110 farmers who gave feedback on comfort, durability, and colour, among other design preferences.
Nairobi. Comfortable, cost-effective personal protective clothing, which is an essential component in safe crop protection handling practices, has been launched in Kenya.
The new protective garment was launched on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, by Kenya’s Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) in collaboration with the International Centre for Personal Protective Equipment (ICPPE) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, BASF, and Syngenta.
The launch came after the completion of a study that involved over 110 farmers who gave feedback on comfort, durability, and colour, among other design preferences.
Speaking during the launch, the PCPB Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Fredrick Muchiri, said handling and using pesticides should be done with adherence to safety measures, among them the effective use of personal protective equipment.
“Entrusted with regulating pest control products, the board remains committed to ensuring that the used PPEs meet the right standards, are affordable, and are available in the market,” he said.
He assured that the board would maintain partnerships with the relevant stakeholders in training pest control service providers on safety measures when handling and using pesticides in the country.
The ISO-certified personal protective clothing is made of breathable and reusable textile materials.
The ICPPE initiative coordinator, Anugrah Shaw, said heat stress and comfort were among the challenges preventing users from not wearing appropriate protective clothing.
“This is an even bigger issue in tropical climates. Our approach with the new ISO-certified garment is to balance protection and comfort,” said Shaw.
The head of cluster and agriculture solutions at BASF East Africa Ltd, Gift Mbaya, said investing in personal protective clothing, protects farmers and the communities in their areas of work.
“We are committed to ensuring a sustainable and responsible future for the world around us,” said Mbaya.
The head of business area in East and Southern Africa, Given Mudenda, said at Syngenta the safety of farmers and farm workers was an issue of paramount importance.
He explained that extensive stewardship initiatives were directed in the area, expressing pleasure for being associated with the launch.
“This innovative protective garment enhances responsible crop protection handling practices and promotes a safety culture among farmers and operators across the country and potentially beyond,” said Mudenda.
“Every farmer deserves access to quality protective gear, enabling them to work sustainably," Mudenda added.
A farmers’ representative, Mr Ambrose Kirobi, said PPEs were vital to sustainable farming and productivity, saying that better use was encouraged during farming activities to deliver better output.
“Raising more awareness about the correct PPE use remains a fundamental goal for all agricultural stakeholders,” he said
The launch of the certified personal protective garment represents a significant milestone in promoting safe agricultural practices, fostering a culture of safety among farmers, and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.
