Health Alert: Cocoa farmers use empty pesticide pots as goblets

Health News Sunday, June 16, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-06-16

The mishandling of agrochemicals by some cocoa farmers exposes them to danger and also endangers the lives of people and animals in their communities by the pollution of the water plans where they drink.

Dr. Joseph Easmon Sarfo Adu, Regional Manager for Cocoa Control in Ghana, responsible for quality at Bono, warned cocoa farmers not to use empty containers of pesticides and insecticides such as cups or salt containers .

"The toxic chemicals contained in these pesticides could cause death to humans and animals when they come in contact with food and water due to improper disposal." . therefore, it is dangerous to use them as household utensils, "he said.

He also asked farmers and different sprayer groups not to wash their sprayers in rivers and ponds after using them, as this could pollute such water bodies and kill both humans and humans. animals that drank.

Dr. Adu spoke at Sunyani after presenting an badortment of 3,000 GH ¢ cocoa beverages and a check for 5,000 GH ¢ to the Ahyiayem Queenmothers Association, on behalf of COCOBOD, in response to a call from the badociation.

The Ahyiayem Queenmothers Association, located in South Nkoranza Municipality, in the Bono-Est region, has appealed for funds through COCOBOD to enable them to educate young people, especially young girls, to that they do not engage in social vices and stay in school to get higher laurels.

Pesticides / insecticides are toxic

Dr. Adu urged members of the badociation to use their influence in cocoa producing areas to educate farmers about the harmful effects of pesticides and insecticides used to treat cocoa diseases.

He said that since these chemicals are toxic, they should not be stored with food, as overflowing could be harmful to people who consume them.

Dr. Adu advised farmers and spray crews to follow the instructions provided on the labels of these chemicals to prevent poisoning.

He also suggested that cocoa farmers use only COCOBOD-approved insecticides and pesticides as they risk destroying their farms with uncertified chemicals.

Dr. Adu congratulated the queen mothers for their interest in educating young people in their area and expressed the hope that these elements would encourage them to continue to provide such services. useful counseling programs in farming communities.

The president of the badociation, Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie, who received the donation, thanked COCOBOD for the gesture, explaining that with its meager resources, the badociation was able to defend the cause of youth in over the years.

On the cocoa industry, Nana Kodie praised the government for its efforts to improve the plight of farmers through the implementation of various policies to fight diseases and improve crop yields.

Nana Kodie urged farmers to adopt the best agronomic practices taught by COCOBOD officials, as this would enable them to improve their yields and enjoy the fruits of their labor.