For over a decade, Ian Shaw has been at the helm of Kapi Ltd, a Kenyan company that has undergone a remarkable transformation under his leadership.
Founded in 2008, the Nakuru-based firm has emerged as a prominent manufacturer of pyrethrum products, becoming a pivotal player in the industry within the region.
Initially, Kapi owned some of the largest pyrethrum farms in Africa.
However, in 2014, it shifted its focus from cultivation to manufacturing, marking a turning point in its trajectory.
Shaw, the seasoned managing director, has been the driving force behind this strategic pivot that has positioned Kapi as a leading name in the production of organic pesticides.
Kapi’s modus operandi involves purchasing flowers from local farmers and extracting pyrethrum, a potent natural insecticide, for its manufacturing processes.
Shaw’s unequivocal endorsement of Kenyan pyrethrum as the best globally underscores the company’s commitment to sourcing the finest raw materials for its high-quality products.
The journey, however, hasn’t been without challenges.
A dwindling number of pyrethrum farmers posed a significant manufacturing hurdle. To overcome this, Kapi initiated collaborations with farmers to revitalize pyrethrum farming as a viable income source.
Shaw’s vision to reinstate pyrethrum’s prominence aligns with its historical significance as a key income generator for smallholder farmers in the Rift Valley region.
Shaw underscores the mounting global awareness about chemical residues in food products, compelling consumers to seek safer alternatives.
Pyrethrum, owing to its organic nature, emerged as a potential solution. This awareness led Kapi to develop Flower DS 4EC, a biopesticide that is 100% natural and rapidly gained traction, especially with commercial farms catering to stringent European markets.
With no chemical residues, the product meets the exacting standards set by these markets.
Small-scale farmers, constituting a considerable rural population, remained a priority for Kapi.
Collaborating with the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network, the company embarked on initiatives to empower these farmers.
“Farmers planting mangoes, avocadoes and pawpaws had challenges with a range of pests and diseases on their crops. We carried out various trials with the farmers using two of our organic pesticides, Flower DS 4EC and Flower Dust and the results were remarkable,” says Shaw.
Accessibility and affordability were key challenges faced by smallholders.
Kapi’s response was twofold: repackaging its products into more cost-effective sizes and establishing a streamlined order and delivery system. These steps ensured that the benefits of organic pesticides reached those who needed them the most.
Looking ahead, Shaw envisions further expansion, both in terms of exports and collaborations with sustainable farming organizations.
His call for government subsidies to incentivize the use of locally produced biopesticides echoes a larger narrative of fostering food security through ecologically responsible means.
