witchweed

In western Kenya, small-scale farmers like Catherine Wanjala have long struggled with the devastating effects of witchweed, or striga, which drains essential nutrients from crops like maize, leading to stunted growth and poor yields. This parasitic plant has left families with limited food supplies and disrupted children’s education due to reduced income. Wanjala’s fortunes changed when she began using Kichawi Kill, a bioherbicide that targets only the invasive witchweed without affecting surrounding plants. Developed by the social enterprise Toothpick, Kichawi Kill has helped Wanjala increase her maize harvest by 675%, allowing her to keep her children fed and in school. Launched in Kenya in 2023 with support from the World Food Programme, Kichawi Kill is a groundbreaking solution crafted from a naturally occurring fungus. Unlike chemical pesticides, it does not accumulate in the soil or harm local ecosystems, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional weed control. David Sands, a plant pathologist and Toothpick co-founder, notes, “Using biology to solve biological problems is a far better way than using chemicals.” With nearly 12,000 farmers benefiting and almost a million dollars’ worth of crops saved, Kichawi Kill has shown promise across sub-Saharan Africa, where witchweed infestation affects 1.4 million hectares and causes billions in crop losses each year. Trials are underway for expansion into Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Ghana, with hopes that this eco-friendly approach can transform farming for countless others.