Frequent use of pesticides causes health risks – Institute

The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has said that the inappropriate use of pesticides in storing grains by Nigerian farmers has affected their acceptability in the global market.

Its Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Eunice Bamishaiye, stated this at a sensitization workshop on appropriate pesticides handling for members of Dawanau international grain market association in Kano.

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According to her, though pesticides have proven to be indispensable tools in minimising post-harvest losses, frequent use of pesticides constitutes serious health risks.

She said there was the need to educate farmers on appropriate application of pesticides on farm produce.

“As a result of continuous wrong application of pesticides on farm produce, there have been increasing cases of food poisoning, leading to deaths and diseases that had raised concerns among regulators and stakeholders.

“As such, there is the need for grain merchants to be educated on appropriate handling of pesticides to save lives and restore international confidence on Nigerian grains,” she said.