Counterfeiting has deeply infiltrated Kenya’s agricultural sector, endangering food security, farmer livelihoods, and the integrity of the entire value chain.
According to the 2025 Consumer-Level Survey Report by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), agricultural inputs—especially pesticides and fertilizers—top the list of most counterfeited products in the country.
Pesticides and Herbicides: The Hardest Hit
The survey reveals that a staggering 89.16% of respondents identified pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides as the most commonly counterfeited agricultural inputs.
This prevalence poses a serious threat not only to crop health but also to human and environmental safety.
Many counterfeit agrochemicals contain banned substances, diluted active ingredients, or toxic fillers that can destroy crops and render soils unproductive.
Fertilizers and Animal Feeds Under Siege
Following agrochemicals, 54.29% of respondents cited fertilizers as frequently counterfeited.
Fake fertilizers often lack essential nutrients or contain harmful components that stunt plant growth and diminish yields. Similarly, 45.60% of consumers pointed to animal feeds as another high-risk category, with fake products leading to poor livestock health and reduced productivity.
Other Targeted Inputs: Seeds and Tools
Seeds are another critical input under threat. Over one-third (34.09%) of respondents encountered counterfeit seeds, often sold in packaging that mimics certified brands.
These seeds may have low germination rates or be entirely non-viable, resulting in crop failure and income loss. Additionally, 13.66% mentioned agricultural equipment as being commonly faked, including hand tools and machinery components.
Root Causes: Price, Accessibility, and Weak Enforcement
Kenya’s counterfeit crisis in agriculture is driven by a combination of factors:
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Affordability: With genuine inputs often priced beyond the reach of smallholder farmers, counterfeit alternatives become the default.
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Weak regulation and enforcement: Inconsistent checks at border points and local markets allow fake products to flourish.
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Low awareness: Many farmers unknowingly purchase fake inputs, unable to distinguish them from genuine ones due to sophisticated packaging imitations.
Devastating Impacts on Farmers and Food Security
The consequences of using counterfeit agricultural products are dire. Beyond immediate financial losses, farmers experience crop failure, livestock mortality, and long-term soil degradation.
On a national scale, this undermines food security, reduces export competitiveness, and erodes trust in supply chains.
Solutions Recommended in the ACA Report
The ACA report calls for a multi-pronged approach to combat counterfeiting in agriculture:
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Public Awareness Campaigns: Strengthen outreach in rural areas to help farmers identify and report counterfeit inputs.
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Stricter Regulations and Penalties: Enforce severe consequences for those caught producing or distributing fake agro-inputs.
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Verification Technology: Promote mobile-based authentication systems that allow farmers to verify product authenticity before purchase.
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Stronger Stakeholder Collaboration: Encourage joint efforts between government, input manufacturers, agro-dealers, and farmer groups to monitor supply chains.
Kenya’s battle against counterfeit agricultural inputs is not just a regulatory challenge—it is a war for the future of its food systems.
Farmers, consumers, and policymakers must unite to expose and eliminate fakes from the market.
With targeted interventions, improved enforcement, and farmer empowerment, Kenya can safeguard its agricultural sector from the silent sabotage of counterfeit goods.
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