The Federal Government’s determination to address the menace of agrochemical handling in Nigeria has been underlined by Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The declaration was made at the Stakeholder’s Workshop on Agrochemicals handling, Marketing and Distribution in Nigeria, with the theme “Agrochemicals importation, Production, Marketing and Distribution in Nigeria to safeguard humanity and the Environment,” which was recently held at Debbie’s Upper Class Event and Recreation Centre, Orozo, Abuja. The Permanent Secretary was represented by the Deputy Director, Farm Inputs Support Services Department (FISS), Ishaku Buba.
He added that the workshop was important not only to the Ministry as the regulator of the products but to all relevant stakeholders operating along the Agro-chemicals value chain as well because agro-chemicals are inputs that play an important role in the various stages of plant development, right from land clearing, cultivation, to the storage of ultimately harvested farm products.
Despite the product’s significant contribution, according to Dr. Umakhihe, some social groups have found ways to tamper with it, which has resulted in significant economic loss.
In his words, “some products banned from use in other parts of the world particularly the European Union have found their way into the Nigeria markets and due to the absence of legal framework to curtail the influx and marketing such banned products, little has been achieved”.
He said that the Ministry has been working with the appropriate House Committees on Agriculture to develop a regulatory framework to maintain sanity in the agro-chemical or pesticides business in order to remedy this unpleasant issue.
“In pursuant to this, the National Fertilizer Quality Control Act, 2019, was being repealed to incorporate pesticides bill in order to regulate the rampant abuses in the agro chemicals operations” The Permanent Secretary added.
Speaking further, he said that the Ministry at the moment has trained enough professionals in all the 36 States of the Federation including FCT to monitor and supervise the market.
The Permanent Secretary, maintained that stakeholders were expected to come up with realistic and definitive way of tackling the menace faced in agro-chemicals operation in Nigeria with defined protocol in line with the International best practices to handle banned products.
In his remarks, the Director, Farm Inputs Support Services Department, Muhammad Kwaido represented by the Assistant Director, Organic fertilizer Development Promotion, Igeh Oluyemisi stated that Agro-chemicals are commonly used to eliminate a variety of agricultural pests and insects that damage crops, livestock and others, adding that agrochemicals value chain players like the importers, manufacturers, marketers and dealers would require basic knowledge in handling pesticides from production to the last farmers that use the products.
He explained that to ensure maximum benefits through facilitation of plant growth, protection of humans and the environment, it is necessary to build a legal framework that would safeguard the operations of agro chemical industry.
He, therefore, solicited for high level of cooperation among stakeholders through open contributions during the workshop.
In his good will message, the Director Federal Department of Agriculture, Engr. Adbullahi Abubakar represented by Assistant Chief Agricultural Officer, Adanlawo Julius said Agro-chemicals has come to stay, if not properly handled, it can be injurious to our health and would be very dangerous to our food component Nutrition.
One of the Stakeholders at event, Department of State Services (DSS) James Abubakar commended the Ministry for its efforts towards ensuring sanity in the agro-chemical industry.
He stated the importance of Quality Fertilizers in the Agricultural Sector, adding that sub-standard fertilizers could lead to low production output and threaten Food and Nutrition Security.