HAMISH KER, CEO Andermatt Kenya, talks with HortiNews Editor CATHERINE RIUNGU on effective management of the problematic quarantine pest

Let me start by giving a background on the long history of the company so you understand why we are confident we have a solution. Andermatt Kenya is a subsidiary of the Andermatt Group, which was founded over 30 years ago by Dr Martin and Dr Isabel Andermatt. Incidentally, the group started with the production of a plant protection product called MADEX based on baculoviruses to control a specifically challenging pest the Codling Moth and this was a great success. Today, as a result, the Andermatt Group is now recognized as a global leader in providing such bespoke biological solutions.

Baculovirus is an insect specific virus which is naturally present in the environment. Madex is the first baculovirus product which was developed by the Andermatt Group. It specifically infects Cydia pomonella, the codling moth which is a key pest in pome fruit production. The first registration was received in 1988 in Switzerland, where it was then successfully introduced in organic apple production as at that time there was no effective biological control method for this pest. Later on, issues with resistance to chemical insecticides created a demand for alternatives in integrated production, where nowadays Madex is an important part of the codling moth control. Since then, Madex products have been registered in over 30 countries worldwide. Besides effective control of codling moth, the main reasons for its worldwide use are protection of beneficial organisms, zero residue production and resistance management.

These products have been tested for their efficacy both in the registration process as well as commercially on a number of farms in Kenya, and based on their recorded efficacy we are confident they provide both an effective as well as environmentally sound solution to all these important pests.

The KEY challenge is to have a joint approach to managing this pest from all sectors in the agri industry as it affects not only roses but also other export crops such as avocado and capsicum – we need to have a national focus on this pest in order to manage/contain the population especially in and around key farming areas to insure the pest is not breeding/multiplying in areas/farms adjacent to KEY commercial export farms/crops – FCM pest is not about managing it individually as a farm but collectively as interceptions impact the status of Kenya as a whole so we must join hands as the fresh produce industry and put in place measures to control this pest in a consistent manner and not wait for flare ups/outbreaks which in a number of cases is too late, leading to interceptions in Europe –

I am confident if farms/Agricultural sector put in place control measures and consistent preventative programmes we will see a significant reduction in this pest avoiding further escalation of the same in our valued export markets.

Good question! There are multiple biological solutions to improve farmers returns as well as simultaneously reduce their impact on the environment – as Andermatt we look to nature to provide real answers and given that nature gave rise to the pest/disease challenges it will also be the one to provide the solution to balance/correct the same but in a sustainable way – we focus on first and foremost on plant nutrition and this begins with a healthy foundation of roots and soil(media) – if we take care of the nutrition/health of the crop in a truly holistic way we will grow crops which are far more resilient and productive but also in a way that is more cost effective for the farmer and grow produce which is based on the Andermatt Ethos of “Healthy Food and Healthy Environment, for all.”

Yes as I stated earlier, it also affects avocado as well as capsicum – so we need to ensure we control this pest not only in roses but in all other crops susceptible to FCM, which potentially can be impacted given the export status of this pest.

We have a demo farm in Naivasha, and welcome farmers, crop protection and nutrition practitioners; agriculture students and other interested stakeholders to visit and see a practical approach to nature’s solutions to nature’s challenges by Andermatt. Seeing is believing!