EU-Banned Pesticides Decimate Africa’s Bees, Risk Food Security

In Rwanda, widespread use of toxic pesticides is decimating bee populations, threatening honey production and the pollination vital to agriculture. This decline is rippling across East Africa, with countries like Kenya and Ethiopia experiencing reduced crop yields and food insecurity, while local economies and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of beekeepers are at risk.

Beyond the economic toll, the loss of bees undermines cultural traditions where honey plays a central role and disrupts biodiversity that supports farming communities. Studies show that pesticide exposure can reduce bee sightings by over 50 percent, highlighting the urgency for sustainable practices. In response, governments and African bee experts are promoting safer pesticide application, educating farmers on pollinator-friendly methods, and fostering regional collaborations to protect bees and ensure the resilience of both ecosystems and communities.

In an interview with African Currents, Dr. Amulen Deborah Ruth, lead scientist of the Insect and Pollinator Protection Research Group (SVAR-RTC) at Makerere University, Uganda, explained how pesticides devastate bee populations, disrupt ecosystems, and underscore the need for stronger regulations and sustainable pest management in African agriculture.

"Bees, first of all, pollinate 75 percent of the human food crops [...]. We have a saying that if insects and bees vanished, for example, even I think it was stated by Albert Einstein, we will not live long because the food crops will begin to dwindle. So imagine 75 percent of the food crops are pollinated by these bees [...]. I don't think heavy use of chemicals is a way to go for some landscapes with awesome farming systems in Africa. Also, loopholes in regulatory frameworks allow these [banned] chemicals to infiltrate the [African] continent. So, one of the effective bee management strategies, of course, we would be zero use of agrochemicals. There should be a policy by the government to ensure there is affirmative action," Dr. Amulen said.

Want to hear more from our guest? Catch the full conversation on the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.

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