By Omolara Akintoye
Agrochemical dealers have been urged to exhibit best practices in safe and effective handling of crop protection products.
Speaking at the flag off of presentation of Certificates to deserving Agro dealers that have completed the CropLife/NAFDAC Training and Accreditation Program and held at Sheraton hotel, Ikeja Lagos, the President, CropLife Nigeria, Dr. David Achimugu has declared.
According to Achimugu, the program which was tagged “Public Presentation of Certificates to trained Agro dealers in Nigeria by NAFDAC/CropLife Nigeria” is a testimony to the collaboration work between NAFDAC and a critical stakeholder CropLife Nig. whose self regulatory goals help in the furtherance of the regulatory mandate of the regulator – NAFDAC.
Achimugu therefore urge participants to be role models in curtailing abuse and misuse of pesticides in their various communities.
His words “Note that you have a role to play in enhancing regulations so that together we can attain the goals of food security and food safety for our nation”.
In her remarks, the Acting Director General NAFDAC, Dr. Monica Eimunjeze said the just concluded training and presentation of Certificates to agro dealers is aimed at in increasing knowledge amongst dealers of crop protection products.
The program Eimunjeze pointed out is an initiative of the constituted NAFDAC and CropLife Nigeria stewards committee in collaboration with the Nigerian Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA)
“The Stewardship committee was created in 2018 to liase with all stakeholders in the pesticide and Agrochemical sectors to mitigate the health hazards associated with the abuse and misuse of these products” said Eimunjeze.
Eimunjeze highlighted the achievements of the Committee to include : Safe and responsible use of crop protection products for agricultural commodity storage which took place in 4 Zones (9 locations) ;
Sensitization workshop for Agro-dealers in Kano and Oyo State, among others.
Speaks further, she said, “So far, 1020 participants have been trained, however there is more work to be done by NAFDAC, CropLife and NAIDA to ensure that training is taken to other states” Eimunjeze concluded
