Govt concerned with use of agrochemicals by farmers

Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa

Government has noted the increase in the use of agrochemicals by farmers in Zambia.

Speaking in Lusaka today during the official opening of an Expert Dialogue on the agrochemical sector in Zambia, Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa says there is thus need to put up mitigation measures to ensure safety use of the agrochemicals by smallholder farmers.

Mr. Shawa says due to the increase in the use of agrochemicals, government has committed itself to providing information to the smallholder farmers on the safe use of the chemicals.

He however, notes that providing information is not a small task and should therefore not be left to government alone, but needs concerted efforts from various stakeholders.

Mr. Shawa further states that government is also keen on the use of agrochemicals in order to bring about efficiency and growth in the sector which will lead to increased productivity.

And speaking earlier, Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) acting Director General Maxwell Nkoya says it is evident that environmental issues have evolved particularly with emerging issues such as climate change, management of hazardous pesticides and disposal of empty pesticides containers.

He says consequently different players and stakeholders are sending varying and sometimes confusing messages on the safe use and handling of such pesticides.

Mr Nkoya says ZEMA is currently implementing a project on agro dealer chemical safety and certification project in collaboration with Musika Development Initiative and Crop Life to provide information to the agro dealers on agrochemicals.

And Musika Managing Director Reuben Banda says the growth of the smallholder agrochemical market has over the last three years been robust though the growth has not been fully regulated.

He says very little is known of the levels of understanding of the risks involved in agro chemical use and the implications of the agro chemical use on the natural environment and human health.