Stories by John Oba
Abuja
As the European Union (EU), continue to expand its ban on a number of agro-commodities from Nigeria which has led to rejection of several agricultural products due to pesticide residues, the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) in partnership with National Environment Standards and Regulation Enforcement Angecy (NESTREA) has engaged in the training of 300 farmers on proper handling and application of pesticide.
Speaking during a meeting and tour of farms of some beneficiaries in Katsina, the national WAAPP coordinator, Dr. James Ocheme Apochi, said WAAPP is much aware of the pivotal role pesticides play in achieving success in the overall agricultural venture especially in tackling damages associated with insects and birds that lead to huge loses of farmers.
He said issues relating to pesticides registration, regulation and use were identified as significant challenge to the ECOWAS sub-region because there were reported cases of pesticides related death and injuries occasioned by inappropriate handling and general application of pesticides both on the field and on storage points.
“This has over the years been identified as one of the major impediments to farmers progress and overall agricultural productivity in the country. In addition to this, is the challenge of commodity reject to export products which has reach worrisome level with European union banning import of certain agro commodities from Nigeria due to high level of pesticides residue.
“However hope is not lost as we on our part have decided to remain resolute in supporting the activities of the pesticides platform to further consolidate in the successes achieved to reach out to more stakeholders through sensitization and other means necessary. I am confident that with the mandate of the MDAs involved and the quality of staff that I have seen, there is hope that sooner than later, we will record even much cheering news in respect of drastic reduction in pesticides residue in our agro commodities,” he assured
The NESTRA Katsina state coordinator, Mr. Jonathan Sylvanus Bajal, said with the help of WAAPP, the agency has been able to train over 100 farmers in Katsina.
He said those trained have been sources of information dissemination to other farmers in the state hence cases of inappropriate application of pesticide has reduced drastically.
The representative of the farmers and the Chairman North West Agro-dealers Association, Katsina chapter, Mr Sani Abubakar Darma, urged the coordinator to help make available more pesticide while training more farmers.
The Secretary, Lambun Sarki Fadama Community Association, Alhaji Bashir Wada, said the training and intervention has help his vegetable business to strive, as he now wait for three or four weeks after spraying his crops with pesticides before harvesting thereby eliminating the risk of chemical reduce.
