The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced on Monday that it has been alerted to the potential export of banned neonicotinoid pesticides to Nigeria and other developing countries by the European Union and the United Kingdom. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed concerns about the dangers posed by such pesticides and stated that a study by the Heinrich Boll Foundation revealed that 40% of pesticides used in Nigeria had been banned in the EU. As a result, NAFDAC has formulated an action plan to ban/phase-out 12 active ingredients and reclassify four other harmful pesticides in Nigeria. Adeyeye ensured that the availability of alternatives was considered to ensure that farmers and other stakeholders are not adversely impacted by the decision.
Malam Mukaila Salaudeen, the Kwara State chairman of Amana Farmers and Grain Suppliers Association of Nigeria, expressed concerns about the harmful effects of pesticides on farmers, especially those who lack adequate training on how to use and mix them. Some pesticides can cause rashes or burn crops when used excessively, resulting in low yields. Salaudeen emphasized the need for organic farming and advised farmers to avoid overdose and over-concentration of chemicals.
Mrs. Helen Oduyemi, a cotton farmer in Oyo State, agreed that organic farming is the way to go and questioned why Nigeria is importing pesticides and fertilizers. She expressed concern that Nigeria is producing food that other countries reject and refuse to purchase. Oduyemi recommended soil testing to determine the best approach to farming, emphasizing that many farmers buy fertilizers without determining if their land needs them.
In conclusion, stakeholders in the agricultural sector have expressed concerns about the harmful effects of neonicotinoid pesticides and have called for more organic farming practices to minimize the adverse effects on the soil, animals, and humans. They recommended proper training for farmers and advocated for a regulatory body to work with the farmers and agrochemicals’ industries to minimize the impact of pesticides on the environment and humans.
