1 min
The usage of pesticides have assuaged in recent years as a result of increase in pest infestation which is connected to the effects of climate change. The indiscriminate usage of synthetic pesticides is dangerous to the biodiversity elements and also the health of the farmers.
This happens because smallholder farmers make choices on the type of pesticides to be used based on past experience, recommendations from other farmers or recommendations from input vendors, with little or no knowledge of its handling practises or volume to be used per application. This is one of the reasons smallholder farmers are exposed to threats (many are related to respiratory diseases) due to poor handling of these pesticides.
It is important for us to agree that labels on pesticides are hardly understood by smallholder farmers (even with the use of pictures) because label instructions are either written in official languages of exporting countries or images used are not familiar with the users. Including the colour codes used to denote the toxicity level or class are not understood by the farmers. The worst still is that farmers handle these pesticides without personal protective equipment which exposes them to more danger and could affect their productivity in the long run. Therefore, there is a need to declare an emergency on this type of practice in order to secure the lives of our farmers especially in developing countries, where food production has been on the decline due to reduction in farmers' productivity.
Every life is important, including the farmers, who produce food for us all. Farmers need to be sensitized on proper handling of pesticides (especially the Class 1 toxicity type), and PPE must be mandatory for all pesticides handlers to adopt. Also, it is important that the relevant authorities subsidize the cost of PPE in order for it to be affordable for the farmers. In addition, there is a need for local presence or collaboration with local partners for major pesticides manufacturers to educate and provide timely support for farmers (end users) through large cooperatives and Associations on the importance of preserving biodiversity elements which is a key component of sustainable agricultural production. This is because we need more healthy farmers, a more diverse environment in order to produce healthy food for the populace and this starts with inculcating healthy practices. So, let us be deliberate with our actions to achieve sustainable production and zero hunger becomes a reality in our time.
Your-in-Service
Babatunde
It is important for us to agree that labels on pesticides are hardly understood by smallholder farmers (even with the use of pictures) because label instructions are either written in official languages of exporting countries or images used are not familiar with the users. Including the colour codes used to denote the toxicity level or class are not understood by the farmers. The worst still is that farmers handle these pesticides without personal protective equipment which exposes them to more danger and could affect their productivity in the long run. Therefore, there is a need to declare an emergency on this type of practice in order to secure the lives of our farmers especially in developing countries, where food production has been on the decline due to reduction in farmers' productivity.
Every life is important, including the farmers, who produce food for us all. Farmers need to be sensitized on proper handling of pesticides (especially the Class 1 toxicity type), and PPE must be mandatory for all pesticides handlers to adopt. Also, it is important that the relevant authorities subsidize the cost of PPE in order for it to be affordable for the farmers. In addition, there is a need for local presence or collaboration with local partners for major pesticides manufacturers to educate and provide timely support for farmers (end users) through large cooperatives and Associations on the importance of preserving biodiversity elements which is a key component of sustainable agricultural production. This is because we need more healthy farmers, a more diverse environment in order to produce healthy food for the populace and this starts with inculcating healthy practices. So, let us be deliberate with our actions to achieve sustainable production and zero hunger becomes a reality in our time.
Your-in-Service
Babatunde
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