US firm to invest in pyrethrum

The pyrethrum industry has received a boost after an American company was approved to invest in the one-time multi-billion-shilling crop.

Kentegra Biotechnology was among privately owned firms that applied for a permit to extract, process and sell pyrethrum products when the industry was liberalised four years ago.

The entry of these companies brings down a monopoly market that was enjoyed by the State-owned Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya, Nakuru.

In an interview with the Nation on Thursday, Kentegra Biotechnology chief operating officer Scott Sweat said the company hoped to work with thousands of new and existing pyrethrum farmers.

“Kenya used to dominate the world supply of pyrethrum and we want to bring that back. There are many opportunities in the global market to help us do that,” said Mr Sweat.
Focus on Kenya

PARTNERS

He added that the company would focus on Kenya for production and look at the world market for sales.

“We are working with partners in the US, Europe and Asia to promote sales,” he said.

Kentegra Biotechnology chief technical officer Peter Mwaura said the company had planted 45 acres of pyrethrum and would increase the acreage to 100.

Mr Mwaura said Kenyans interested in pyrethrum growing would be given a renewable three-year contract, during which the company would provide 22,000 seedlings and a bag of fertiliser for every acre.

“With 45 acres of seedlings ready in two weeks, we are targeting a harvest of 4,500 acres,” said Mr Mwaura. “By the next rainy season, we hope to have reached a production of 10,000 acres every planting season.”