Farmers to be trained to handle agro-chemicals properly

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), through the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), will soon begin training programs to educate farmers across the country on how to properly administer pesticides and other agro-chemicals.

This was revealed by Trecia David, the board’s Registrar, Sunday night during the ministry’s ‘Agriculture in Focus’ program. David said the agency has been highlighting the need for ongoing campaigns and programs to educate farmers about the correct practices in using pesticides and agro-chemicals for years.

He added that while they have managed to do so in a classroom, the board is now looking to change its way of educating farmers and to adapt a more hands-on and practical training method. “One of the things we’ve done since 2008 is extensive training across the country, but what we’ve got to do now is be innovative and [revamp] our training techniques in 2021, ”said David.

He explained that there will be a lot of training this year. “Although we have COVID and we are dealing with working in that setting, it will be a year where we will relaunch many of our training activities but at a different point of providing more practical training,” he said.

During the program, he explained that the board will also focus on informing the farmers of the importance of using agro-chemicals and the negative impact it can have on their business, personal and other health if not used correct.

“It is vital that farmers are clear that their practices are going to have an impact on their ability to trade certain products or even sell at the local level and then of course regionally and internationally,” he said . He further explained that when farmers overuse or misuse agro-chemicals, especially pesticides, their produce does not become an expense and is therefore not fit for local market or export.

“If you are going to use pesticides, overuse or misuse is likely to have residues that can then affect your product acceptable for local market trade. That is why it is so important to understand at this point [that] not just the understanding for them of what is the right practice, but they must understand the basis on which this becomes something they have to do every day. “

David noted that the board will undertake more monitoring during the year to ensure that its standards are being met and that farmers produce the best quality produce for the local, regional and international markets.

“Now the monitoring facilities will be in place and there are legislations in place to ensure these standards are met and if you, the farmer, don’t meet them, I’m sure there is also provision for fixed penalties to be put in place. . , ”He said. David also noted that during this year the ministry will be taking steps to get farmers registered and certified in their daily routines.

“One of the things the agency is looking at is registering farmers. With that we ensure that farmers are certified in their practices as well as how they use pesticides. It will be a big undertaking, but we will be committed to trying to start that process this year and move forward, ”he said.

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