By Biola Lawal
Oshogbo (FLOWERBUDNEWS): The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Osun has commenced a sensitisation campaign to educate agro-imput dealers on dangers to public health of inappropriate handling and exposure of agro chemicals.
(Dr. Isaac Kolawole, NAFDAC Coordinator, Osun State)
Speaking in an interview with FLOWERBUDNEWS on Wednesday in Oshogbo, NAFDAC Osun State Coordinator, Dr. Isaac Kolawole said that the enlightenment campaign was a proactive measure to prevent sale or use of banned or unwholesome chemicals for agricultural production.
Chemicals banned from being used for farming and other agricultural production included PARAQ and CABO FURAL, he told FLOWERBUDNEWS.
The State Coordinator disclosed that the Agency.has already taken the sensitisation campaign to fifteen of the 30 local government areas of the state, assuring that all the remaining 15 would be covered before the end of year.
Dr. Kolawole stated that mishandling and use of unwholesome chemicals in agricultural production endangered humans through consumption of farm products nursed with such chemicals and the chemicals’ exposure to the environment.
‘The NAFDAC State Coordinator said it also causes depletion of the ozone layer and could induce infertility and cancer in human beings.
He said that the Agency was also utilising the sensitisation activity to guide the agro inputs dealers on necessities for them to secure NAFDAC Listing which is a requirement for them to conduct business in agro-chemicals.
Dr. Kolawole stressed that chemicals were part of products which are being regulated by NAFDAC in accordance with its mandate and, a Dealer is certified as Listed when he/she has met all the necessary conditions stipulated for anyone wishing to engage in agro-imputs’ business.
The State Coordinator explained that one of the most crucial requirement from dealers is the engagement of qualified and competent science officer who should possess at least an Ordinary National Diploma (OND).
Dr. Kolawole said that the Agency had, out of the magnanimity and desire of the Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye to aid the growth of businesses in the regilated products sector, entered into partnership with CropLife which trained personnel of the dealers and equipped them with basic scientific knowledge which made them suitable perform their functions.
(A cross section of participants at one of sensitisation programme held for agro inputs dealers in Osun State)
He said that NAFDAC’s basic target in Osun State is to have at least five listed dealers in each of the 30 local government areas, which would be a total of about 150 dealers across the state whichb would stimulate economic empowerment benefits.
Dr. Kolawole disclosed that the Agency has been able List about seven dealers, but expected more to qualify with the proactive measures being taken to aid them.
The State Coordinator commended the Nigerian Agro Imputs Dealers Association (NAIDA) Osun State branch for their cooperation, which he noted had made NAFDAC operations smooth with their members.(FLOWERBUDNEWS)