The
director of Health, Environment and Information Network (HEIN), a Civil Society
Organization, has underscored the importance the organization attaches to
empowering vegetable growers on effective management of pesticides and other
hazardous chemicals on vegetables and field crops.
Alh.
Momodou Masanneh Kanteh was speaking on Saturday at a two-day capacity
development for 50 vegetable growers on the use of alternative pesticides to
manage and delay pest infestation.
The
two-day training was held at the Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan,
North bank Region, and targeted domestic and farm pest management for women
farmers within the intervention villages of Kerewan and Illiasa.
The
training covered site selection, land preparation, seed selection, nursery
preparation, transplanting techniques, monitoring and sanitation, crop
rotation, composting and market research.
He
said the training would strengthen farmers capacity as vegetable growers,
noting that pesticides are only friendly if handled as recommended.
He
noted that building the capacity of farmers on the alternative uses of
pesticides, would promote efficiency and are environmentally friendly.
The director further noted that farmers should
be proactive on the adoption of best agricultural practises to reduce pest
populations and delay outbreaks of pests.
He
called on farmers to promote closer contact with frontline extension workers
for advice on proper management to ensure harvest of crops/vegetables to
increase production, without causing much destruction to the environment.
“The
effective management of nurseries will reduce and delay pest infestation which
will lead to good seedlings, through the adoption of alternative uses of
pesticides,” he said.
He
stressed the need for vegetable growers to desist from harvesting vegetables
for consumption immediately after applying pesticides.
Governor
Ebrima K.S. Dampha thanked Health, Environment and Information Network (HEIN)
for complementing the government in attaining food security and improving the
health of vegetable growers through the proper management of pesticides.
He said creating public awareness among
producers on the hazardous effects of pesticides on human health was crucial in
safe-guarding and protecting producers and consumers.
Chief
Fabala Fadia Kinteh of lower Baddibou called on farmers to disseminate the
information.
Kaddy Jadama, president of FANDEMA Women kafo
of Kerewan, and Jakunding Dibba, President of Salikene, Kalpeh Ba Kafo both
thanked the organisation for building their capacity in managing and delaying
pest infestation on vegetables and crops.
The
programme aimed to help producers adopt best agricultural practises that will
increase income and consumption of vegetables free from pesticides.
