Horticultural News January - February issue

Anti-counterfeits committee chairman DK Kagwe
are we winning?
Fakes 5% down
This is the million
dollar question facing
the agrochemical
fraternity as it enters
the second year since
the law dealing in counterfeits was
revised.
“We are not there yet but we are
on track”, said the anti-counterfeits
committee chairman DK Kagwe
who argues for a good measure that
although the fruits of the efforts on the
ground over the past 24 months are
yet to be appreciated there has been a
gradual reduction in the frequency of
fake pest control products.
Sources in the sector say the Pest
Control Products Board (PCPB) that
|| counterfeits ||
is mandated relevant authorities and agencies. not registered under the umbrella.
by law to arrest The agrochemicals sector is as a measure to counter
and align before currently working closely with the the counterfeiters, the kadogo
courts those Kenya anti-Counterfeits agency economy has found its way in the
caught in the act, to beef up the fight. reports agrochemical sector with companies
nothing much indicate that the business in fakes now packaging in smaller packs to
has been coming has reduced by over 5 per cent, an avoid decanting of products, that
from that end. indication that the war is gradually has been blamed for fuelling faking.
“PCPB has being won. Estimates are that “The small packs are pocket friendly,
the fakes cost the industry more safe and good for the environment
than Ksh 2 billion annually, because farmers don’t need to store
not considering them since most are for single spray
the damage to applications”, said Mr Kagwe. The
public health and packs are labelled in both English
environment. This is and Kiswahili.
partly attributed to according to the anti-counterfeits
the revised fines of committee, it is important that
a minimum of Ksh farmers only purchase products that
250,000 – I million bear both the aaK and PCPB logos
or a two years which give a considerable degree
imprisonment or both, of being genuine, and to always
up to Ksh 20,000 fine two call both institutions whenever in
years ago, which a suspect doubt.
would pay up and continue To minimize on the possibility
in business. “The hefty fines of stockists applying double
seem to have deterred a standards and aid counterfeit trade,
number of counterfeiters and companies have been asked to
fakers, “ Mr Kagwe said.
register their distributors with aaK,
The anti-counterfeits education who in turn are supposed to be
seeks to bring farmers and stockists licensed by PCPB. “This will make it
up to speed with the skills and easier for the fraternity to get a non
actions they need to employ to complying agent displined or even
detect fakes. “It has been agreed deregistered if they are found to be
that all agrochemical training stocking fakes. We will name and
been more reactive than proactive sessions include a component of shame culprits and run them out of
when it comes to arresting the anti-counterfeit message, and this fake business”, Mr Kagwe added.
malpractice”, a source who spoke has been agreed on by members a listing of registered stockists
on condition of anonymity said. of the agrochemical association of will be availed to farmers during
Despite the sluggish record, Kenya (aaK).
farmer meetings, field days,
there is no let-up, said Mr Kagwe It is being recommended that exhibitions, shows and during
who asserts that farmer education farmers and stockists deal only training activities , and the clarion
will be enhanced this year since with companies falling under aaK call; always obtain and maintain a
it is important for the message to because outside the association, it receipt for all purchases is being
stay alive. “Counterfeiters target is almost impossible to trace back repeated. “This is always the safest
well known products especially a product source, while no code bet, to trace the origin of a product
when demand is high and supply of conduct binds non members whenever its efficacy is questioned.
low therefore, it is important for to comply with the regulations. again we want to discourage
companies to ensure that their In addition, aaK takes over the farmers from buying agrochemical
products are always in stock to responsibility of following up on products from van salesmen who
avoid creating the vacuum that reported cases of counterfeits, a sell agrochemicals during market
attracts the fakes,” he said adding situation that wouldn’t obtain if days from the back of a pick-up or
that if the shortage is inevitable, a farmer or a stockist was dealing saloon cars.
this should be communicated to with a company’s product that is
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