News Release

Kenya Breaks New Ground with Africa's First Locally Made ISO 27065-Certified Personal Protective Clothing

• Enhances safe crop protection handling practices.
• Developed in alignment with government regulatory bodies and standards.
• Accessible to farmers around the country to promote a safety culture.

Nairobi, Kenya – A comfortable, cost effective personal protective clothing, an essential component of safe crop protection handling practices, has been launched in Kenya.

The new protective garment is a collaboration between the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), the International Center for PPE (ICPPE) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, BASF and Syngenta, with the purpose of addressing operator safety. More than 110 farmers throughout Kenya participated in a wear study and gave feedback on comfort, durability as well as color and other design preferences.

“Handling and use of pesticides should be done with adherence to safety measures, among them effective use of (Personal Protective Equipment) PPEs. As a board entrusted with the mandate of regulating the use of Pest Control Products in the country, we remain committed to ensuring the PPEs that are used in our country are of the right standards, affordable and available in our markets. We will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders in delivering trainings to Pest Control Service Providers on safety measures when handling and using Pest Control Products in our country”, said Fredrick N. Muchiri, CEO Pest Control Products Board.

"PPE is vital to sustainable farmer productivity. Farmers who use PPE correctly are motivated to carry out farming activities, they deliver better output. Creating more awareness on the correct PPE to use remains a fundamental goal for all agricultural stakeholders”, said Ambrose Kirobi, a farmer representative.

The ISO certified personal protective clothing is made of breathable, re-usable textile materials. “One of the challenges with users not wearing appropriate protective clothing is due to heat stress and comfort. This is an even bigger issue in tropical climates. Our approach with the new ISO certified garment is to balance protection and comfort”, said Anugrah Shaw, coordinator of the ICPPE Initiative.

The new personal protective clothing is certified under KS ISO 27065 C1, which defines performance requirements for minimum protective clothing worn by operators applying crop protection solutions and for re-entry workers. The fabric and garments have been tested by a certified ISO laboratory and is similar in performance to garments worn in most operator exposure studies.

“By investing in personal protective clothing, we are not only protecting the health and safety of our farmers and the communities in which we operate. We are committed to ensuring a sustainable and responsible future for the world around us”, said Gift Mbaya, Country Cluster Head and Head of Agriculture Solutions, BASF East Africa Ltd.

“At Syngenta, we are committed to the safety of farmers and farm workers. We undertake extensive stewardship initiatives and are proud to be associated in the launch of the first Kenyan-made certified personal protective clothing. This innovative protective garment not only enhances responsible crop protection handling practices but also promotes a culture of safety among farmers and operators across the country and potentially beyond. Every farmer deserves access to quality protective gear, enabling them to work sustainably”, said Given Mudenda, Business Area Head East and Southern Africa.

The launch of the ISO 27065 certified personal protective garment in Kenya 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. This collaborative effort between various stakeholders including industry members of CropLife Kenya (aak GROW), ensures that Kenyan farmers have access to comfortable, affordable and locally made protective gear. As the adoption of this protective gear upsurges, it will inspire a broader shift towards prioritizing safety and responsible practices for Kenyan farmers, their communities, and the environment.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €900 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

About Syngenta

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading agriculture companies, comprised of Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality, and safety of agriculture with world-class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources. Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group with 60,000 people in more than 100 countries working to transform how crops are grown. Syngenta Group works with farmers and partners to deliver four Sustainability Priorities: Higher Yields, Lower Impact; Regenerate Soil and Nature; Improve Rural Prosperity; and Sustainable Operations. The priorities are underpinned by regenerative agriculture practices to nurture and restore soil health, protect the climate and biodiversity, and enhance farm productivity and profitability. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com.