Agriculture experts want Kenyan farmers to apply the latest weed control method to their maize plantations.
The approach, dubbed chemical farming, is gaining popularity as a viable alternative to traditional weeding methods.
Research conducted by CropLife International revealed that maize is an important staple food in Sub-Saharan Africa, covering over 25 million hectares of land.
Despite its importance, maize production has recorded the lowest yield worldwide, averaging only 1.5 tons per hectare compared to the global average of 4.9 tons per hectare.
Herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides help farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa manage challenges such as weed infestations, insect attacks, and disease pathogens. Kenyan small-scale farmers have, over the years, pulled the weeds by hand or uprooted them using small hand tools.
However, labour shortages at the onset of the season often lead to delayed weeding. This results in significant maize yield losses ranging from 15 to 90 per cent as weeds compete with plants for water and nutrients.
The research showed that prolonged weed competition throughout the season can cause higher losses, usually between 50 and 90 per cent.
Despite experiments and extensive studies supporting the use of herbicides as an effective control method, small-scale farmers are slow to adopt the approach.
Experts say there is no effective mechanism to pass knowledge to smallholders.
Pamela Odhiambo, a small-scale maize farmer in Suna East, Migori county, said information on the availability of affordable herbicides for weed control hardly reaches the farmers.
She believes that many farmers, particularly those in rural areas, are unaware of these herbicides, while others assume they are expensive.
Odhiambo said she applied chemical farming for the first time last season and was amazed by the results.
Besides being cost-effective, herbicides are a highly efficient method of controlling weeds and ensuring maximum maize yield, she said.
Odhiambo said she previously faced difficulties securing reliable labourers for weeding, which affected her farm's performance.
However, after applying chemicals, her farm now stands out, attracting admiration.
Buoyed by her success, Odhiambo eagerly anticipates a bumper harvest this year and encourages other small-scale farmers to embrace chemical farming as a better alternative to traditional weeding practices.
According to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, effective weed control through herbicides can have significant benefits, such as improving maize yield.
Herbicides suppress weed competition, allowing maize plants to access vital nutrients, water, and sunlight, leading to healthier and more productive crops.
Herbicides also save time and labour, unlike traditional methods that rely on manual weeding.
Chemicals also suppress weed growth, selectively targeting specific types of weeds without harming the maize plants.
This targeted approach reduces the risk of accidental damage to the maize while minimizing competition for essential nutrients between maize and weeds.
Additionally, herbicides help mitigate environmental hazards.
By embracing this approach, farmers in Migori for instance can have the opportunity to enhance their agricultural practices and optimise maize production.