Better outputs will be achieved by farmers in the country, if they pay close attention to the type of chemicals they use on the farm and how they preserve and use the chemicals. This was made known in Bauchi by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who have started a campaign to train farmers in this regard.
NAFDAC’s Bauchi Coordinator, Hamis Yahaya said his office will be launching an intensive media campaign to promote the safe use and handling of agricultural chemicals in Bauchi State. According to him, the campaign was timely as the rainy season begins, heightening the need for proper chemical handling practices. He explained that the initiative will focus on educating both sellers and users of agrochemicals about the importance of purchasing genuine, quality products and following safe usage guidelines.
“Part of the programme will also address key issues such as the proper storage and display of agricultural chemicals in markets. Exposing chemicals to sunlight can degrade their quality and cause harmful reactions,” Yahaya said. He warned that direct exposure to sunlight could reduce the effectiveness of chemicals and cause dangerous heat-related reactions, potentially leading to health risks.
The campaign is designed to also focus on grassroots education, particularly concerning the proper disposal of chemical containers and label instruction compliance. “We want to educate sellers to the extent that they, in turn, will educate buyers on how to use the chemicals properly, strictly following the instructions on product labels,” he noted. To maximise reach, NAFDAC partners with the Bauchi State Ministry of Information and use multiple media channels, including local radio, to ensure farmers in rural communities are well-informed.
As part of its ongoing efforts, NAFDAC had earlier partnered with the National Orientation Agency to conduct a sensitisation exercise at the Soro Weekly Market in Ganjuwa Local Government Area. That outreach targeted key agrochemical marketers and buyers, yielding valuable insights into local practices and challenges. Additionally, NAFDAC recently held a meeting with the Forum of Agrochemical and Pesticide Dealers in Bauchi State to discuss the registration of products. Yahaya encouraged small and medium enterprises to register with NAFDAC to ensure legal and safe operations. “We are encouraging small and medium enterprises to come forward and register their products with NAFDAC so they can operate legally and safely,” he said.