Reducing Pesticide Risks through Social and Behavior Change Communication: A Case Study of the Ukulima True Campaign in Kenya

Maureen W Njenga^1*Monica Kagorora Kansiime^1*Tamsin Davis²Geoffrey Rugaita¹Rahab Njunge¹Abigael Mchana¹Bill Okaka¹Melanie Bateman^3,4

• ¹CAB International, Nairobi, Kenya
• ²CAB International, Wallingford, England, United Kingdom
• ³CAB International, Rue des Grillons 1, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland
• ⁴CAB International, Rue des Grillons 1, 2800 Delémon, Switzerland

Although pesticides play a critical role in enhancing crop productivity, their improper use poses serious threats to health and the environment. This study assessed the effectiveness of Ukulima True campaign a Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) campaign in Kenya, aimed at reducing pesticide risks by promoting safer farming practices. A crosssectional mixed-methods approach was used, involving surveys with 406 farmers and 12 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in Subukia Sub-County. Results show that 68% of farmers became aware of the campaign, with peer-to-peer learning and radio emerging as the most influential communication channels. The campaign led to notable behavior changes, with 86.4% of farmers adopting at least three Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and 85.7% regularly monitoring their fields for pests and diseases. Awareness of approved pesticides rose to 70%, while adherence to Pre-harvest Intervals (PHI) increased to 86.4%. The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during pesticide application also improved, and the uptake of Spray Service Providers (SSPs) increased to 18.6%, further reducing farmers' direct exposure to pesticides. The results demonstrate the value of SBCC in transforming pesticiderelated behaviours in agriculture. A multi-channel, community-driven strategy proved effective in reaching diverse farmer groups and encouraging safer practices. The Ukulima True campaign successfully increased awareness and adoption of safe pesticide practices, demonstrating the potential of SBCC in risk reduction and sustainable agriculture. However, challenges remain in addressing PPE access, behavioral barriers, and gender disparities. Integrating SBCC with policy support and multi-stakeholder collaboration is crucial for sustainable pesticide risk reduction.