Expert Advises Farmers On Application Of Agro-Chemicals

An extension service consultant in Rivers State, Mrs. Virginia Elisha, has enjoined farmers on the appropriate application of agro chemicals on crops to forestall damages to human health and environment
Speaking with The Tide in Port Harcourt recently, Elisha said that it has become pertinent to educate farmers on the right application of pesticides, fertilizers and other agro chemicals to reduce cancer- causing contents in agro-products.
According to her, the reason for organising programmes to educate farmers on the right use of agro-chemicals is because the misuse has been a major cause of damage to crops and human health.
She said training of farmers has been very useful not just to the farmers but the final consumers of the products as well.
“We have so much to educate farmers on the application of agro chemicals, ranging from type of crops to the component of the products he is applying the chemicals on” she said.
Elisha urged farmers to read and adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations on label of agric-chemicals before applying them on crops, adding that any agroc-chemical without a label or instruction is fake.
Elisha further said that every agro chemicals you buy there is always a recommended dotage for the crops, the entry time, and the exit time.
“The manufacturers of these agro chemicals also provide a timeline for the application of their products but most farmers do not abide by them,” she said.
She added that if farmers were not educated on the right application of agro chemicals, there would be an increase in the cancer-causing elements in the food content.

By: Theresa Frederick