NAN-AE-6
Training
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, June 14, 2017 (NAN) National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commended IITA- led Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP) for training spray service providers in the safe application of herbicides.
Mr Godwin Atser, Communication and Knowledge Exchange Expert for IITA-CWMP, said this via a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Atser said that the 659 participants were drawn from Abia, Benue, Ogun and Oyo States for the training.
Mr Emmanuel Anga, NAFDAC’s Assistant Director in Benue, who also lauded the training, noted that application of herbicides without due consideration for standards and safety was becoming worrisome.
He said that the training was, therefore, organised correct the perceptible flaws in the use of herbicides in the country.
Anga said that improved cassava yields would be achieved with the application of herbicides.
He, however, said that the application of the herbicides must take cognizance of manufacturers’ recommendations in order not to undermine the health of those applying the chemicals and destroy the environment.
He said that the training had practical and theoretical sessions, adding that the participants were educated on the proper use of herbicides.
“The breakdown of trained participants across states showed that Abia had 105 participants, Benue had 101, Ogun had 122 and Oyo had 331 participants.
“Farmers who participated in the training said that it was a `life-saving event’ as they admitted that they hitherto sprayed herbicides without using personal protective equipment.’’
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a survey, which was conducted by IITA, showed that the use of herbicides was on the increase in all the major cassava growing areas of the country.
NAN also reports that the training was handled by IITA- CWMP, with support from NAFDAC, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and University of Agriculture, Makurdi. (NAN)
SYS/MOL/OOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe