NEPC trains 50 farmers on Pesticides Management to boost exports
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained 50 small-holder farmers on pesticides management aimed at mitigating the risk associated with pesticide use in Adamawa State. It also said the training was to prevent further ban and rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce by the EU. Speaking at the training, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO of […]
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has trained 50 small-holder farmers on pesticides management aimed at mitigating the risk associated with pesticide use in Adamawa State.
It also said the training was to prevent further ban and rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce by the EU.
Speaking at the training, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, said the continuous ban and rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce by the EU and other export market destinations are of grave concern to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
She emphasised that the presence of contaminants such as pesticide residues and other impurities, exceeding maximum permissible residual limits, is a major challenge facing Nigerian agricultural exports.
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According to her, recent studies have shown that over 70% of small-holder farmers and commercial farms in Nigeria use pesticides as control measures to prevent insects and pest attacks on their crops.
However, most farmers and processors lack formal training or guidance on the safe use and application of pesticides, leading to inadequate application techniques that can have serious market implications.
She said the comprehensive pesticide management programme proposes several key components.
These include establishing a robust registration process for pesticides to ensure only approved and registered pesticides are sold and used, ensuring only certified spray service providers with complete personal protective equipment carry out spraying services in farms and warehouses, developing training programmes for farmers, spray service providers, and other stakeholders, establishing a monitoring system to track pesticide use, sale and inspections to address non-compliance and supporting research into safe and sustainable integrated pest management practices.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Dr Ishaya John Dabari, urged beneficiaries to maximise their newfound knowledge and skills by training others in their communities.
Dr Dabari highlighted Adamawa State’s export potential, citing cowpeas, bean seeds, groundnuts and livestock as key products.
He said by leveraging on the training, beneficiaries can contribute to the state’s economic growth and enhance its reputation as a reliable exporter of quality agricultural products.