Pest Management Seminar in Kenya
Prof. William Kirk delivered a one-day seminar on ‘Thrips Management: A Holistic Approach’ at Naivasha, Kenya on 24 May 2019. The event was organised by Dudutech Ltd (https://www.dudutech.com/), Africa’s leader in Integrated Pest Management, and was attended by 98 farmers representing 34 different farms. Most of the growers produce flowers for export to Europe and thrips are a major problem for them. On average, commercial growers in Kenya spend US$20,000 per hectare every year on crop protection. Thrips on roses alone account for 15% of that. When taking into account additional effects of thrips, such as secondary botrytis, the proportion is pushed up to 20% of the total crop protection spend.