Dangers of domestic usage of empty pesticide containers reiterated
Farmers and the general public have been advised to avoid using empty pesticide containers for drinking and storing water to prevent the harmful effects that come with it.
The President of CropLife Ghana, William Kotey, speaking at the Annual Hub and Regulatory workshop organized by his outfit, noted that, “the usage of these empty pesticides containers is harmful to humankind.”
As a result, CropLife Ghana initiated a Container Management programme about three years ago to retrieve empty containers and also to train farmers on how to dispose of the containers while advising them on the harmful effects associated with its usage.
“Farmers are encouraged to adopt the triple rinsing method, where they have to rinse these containers three times so that if someone comes into contact with it mistakenly it would not pose serious threats to them,” he told ghanabusinessnews.com, in an interview.
He adds that although it is difficult to reach all farmers with the Container Management programme, they are trying their best to reach many farmers in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
Dr Rudolf Guyer, Director General of CropLife, Africa and Middle East noted that through the Spray Service Provider (SSP), concept about 3000 spray service providers have been trained in Ghana since its inception three years ago and about 60,000 farmers will benefit from it.
“You need to be licensed to spray pesticides and only licensed people are allowed to work,” he noted.
“Having such regulation could help us get more money and resources to train more service providers,” he said.
The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, George Oduro said, “I am glad to note that CropLife Ghana has taken the steps in collecting pesticide containers across the country.”
He further pledged the ministry’s support towards ensuring the success of the programme.
Oduro also commended the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), for funding the obsolete stocks and the container management programme.
CropLife is a global organization made up of multinationals and local companies engaged in the manufacturing, developing and distribution of crop protection products. The organization also develops and produces seeds needed for successful modern agricultural production systems.
Participants who attended the workshop, according to organisers were drawn from Europe, America and West Africa and eminent among issues discussed was the Spray Service Provider (SSP), concept.
By Pamela Ofori-Boateng