Agri National

 Farmers Advised To Use Integrated Pest Management Technology to Reduce Food Toxicity

Mr. Alex Forjour, Head of Extension Services at the Department of Food and Agriculture in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region has advised farmers to use integrated pest management technology instead of using synthetic chemicals to control the pests.

Speaking in an interview with Edwin Larbi, host of Rite FM’s Agrotech programme on Monday to educate farmers on the effects of using hazardous chemicals to control weeds and pests, Mr. Alex who said pests’ invasion of farms was inevitable however recommended the use of natural approaches in tackling such attacks.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a leading complement and alternative to synthetic pesticides and a form of sustainable intensification with particular importance for tropical smallholders.

Mr. Fordjour while describing integrated pest management technology as less expensive compared to synthetic chemicals, said cultural practices are better alternatives compared to synthetic chemicals, are very harmful and dangerous to human health and should not be used in spraying pests since it ends up adding toxicity to the vegetables and more especially, fruits.

The Head of Extension Services recounted the ban placed on the exportation of vegetable products to the European Market which he attributed partly to the use of synthetic chemicals by vegetable producers to control weeds and pests which resulted in the contamination of the produce.

Though the ban on the exportation of the vegetable has been lifted after several interventions, he cautioned producers especially those who produce for export to take note of the type of chemicals used to avoid the recurrence of the ban.

Global pesticide use has grown over the past 20 years to 3.5 billion kg/year, amounting to a global market worth $45 billion.

The external costs of pesticides are $4–$19 (€3–15) per kg of active ingredient applied, suggesting that IPM approaches that result in lower pesticide use will benefit, not only farmers, but also wider environments and human health.

Source; Prince Paul Amuzu/www.ritefmonline.org/princeamuzu667@gmail.com

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Close