Why Nigeria needs proper pest control – Ogun commissioner

For Nigeria to attain food security, there is the need for proper pest control on all agricultural produce both during production and storage stages by all stakeholders in the value chain.

Ogun State’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, stated this while declaring open a one-day workshop with the theme “Modern Pest Management Practice in Environmental Health” put together by the Ogun State Ministry of Environment in conjunction with the Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN). 

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He said until all the stakeholders put their heads together to fashion out acceptable pest control mechanism that will take into consideration our cultural and environmental health values, it will be difficult for the country to attain food security as pests attack will continue to have devastating effects on our agricultural output, thereby reducing the tonnage of food available, resulting in food unavailability and security. 

Oresanya therefore recommended the use of biological pest control instead of the presently popular chemical pest control as they have risks inherent in their importation and application.