Nigerian products rejected abroad over poor use of chemicals by farmers – Varsity Don

Nigerian products rejected abroad over poor use of chemicals by farmers – Varsity Don

Prof. Lami Nnamonu, an agrochemistry professor, has lamented that farmers in Europe and other countries are refusing to accept Nigerian agricultural products because of inadequate chemical use.

Senior lecturer Nnamonu of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, clarified that improper use of pesticides and preservatives by farmers was caused by regulatory agencies’ neglect to follow all established laws regarding chemical use. He further stated that this development was costing the country foreign exchange.
The Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, ICCON, and the National Assembly organized a one-day Capacity Building and Empowerment on the use of Chemical Substances for Vulnerable Women and Youths event in Port Harcourt, where the university lecturer gave a talk.
She mentioned that occurrences involving pesticide residues were common.entsproducing food poisoning in the nation, noting that improper usage, overuse, and misuse of chemicals are increasing.
Nnamonu stated that reports of farm products in the nation having Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard have surfaced. He added that this development was a result of the farmers not being closely watched over and not receiving proper chemical usage education.
“They test our produce for these pesticides whenever it arrives, and they find high levels of pesticide residues.” When you find that the pesticide residue in our food is higher than the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO), they just send you back.In Benue State, we grow a lot of yam and Our yam was supposed to be exported to Europe and the Americas, but during inspection, it was found that the pesticide residue levels on it exceeded the maximum residual level.
The government is aware of this. It’s time for them to face their obligations. They don’t care about the common good or what is going on in the nation; they are only concerned with themselves, myself, myself, and I.