FARMERS CAUTIONED AGAINST INDISCRIMINATE USE OF CHEMICALS (PAGE 35)

THE Volta Regional Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services (PPRS) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr Atsu Kwebutornye has cautioned farmers against the indiscriminate use of chemicals since they could pose long-term hazard to human health.
He said they should be cautious in handling agro-chemicals and take special note of the classifications on toxicity prescribed on their containers, stressing that they must refrain from washing spraying machines in rivers after any exercise since it could kill the fishes in them.
Mr Kwebutornye gave the advice when he addressed a durbar to commemorate the annual week celebration of the Ghana National Agricultural Technical Class Association (GNATCA) at Akrofu-Agorve in the Ho Municipality.
The celebration was on the theme: “Environmental protection, a prerequisite for sustainable agricultural productivity towards food security and income generation”.
Speaking on the topic: “Safe use of agro-chemicals”, Mr Kwebutornye said they should be circumspect on the use of chemicals on vegetables, adding that empty chemical containers should not be used as water containers for schoolchildren and for storing alcohol or palm wine.
 The National President of GNATCA, Mr Emmanuel Kuwornu, said the Akrofu area was noted for the production of vegetables, especially okro, cassava, rice and sugar cane.
He said the selection and application of agro-chemicals must be carefully done and that they should be in the recommended dosage to ensure their effectiveness.
Mr Kuwornu said although agro-chemicals were helpful to farmers, they were harmful to human beings if they were not properly utilised.
He advised the farmers not to be interested in quick profits alone but to also think of the protection of the environment and the health of the community at large.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Ho Municipal Director of the MoFA, Mr Anthony Tabi, urged the farmers not to relent in their efforts but to step up consultations with agricultural extension officers to facilitate the development of their agricultural ventures.
He said the celebration of the event at Akrofu was due to the recognition of the farmers’ hard work and commitment to their chosen profession.
In a welcoming address, the Assembly member for the area, Mr Charles Agbeli, said the area was noted for okro cultivation and the effective organisation of farmers into viable groups.
He called for more investments in agribusiness with the promise that more land was available in the area for the cultivation of rice.
Mr Agbeli also called for the construction of dams, the provision of water pumping machines and irrigation facilities to facilitate all-year-round farming.
Dizengoff, a company that deals in agro-inputs, with the help of plant protection experts, displayed some its products at the function.
In another development, the Ghana National Agricultural Technical Class Association (GNATCA) has donated food items to the Ho Polyclinic for the upkeep of the inmates of its leprosarium.
 The items included three bags of rice, loaves of bread, oranges, fruit drinks and cooking oil.
The National President of GNATCA, Mr Emmanuel Kuwornu presented the items to the Medical Assistant of the Ho Polyclinic, Madam Grace Atima.
He said the donation was in response to an appeal by the inmates of the leprosarium for food assistance since they had been suffering in view of the withdrawal of their subsidy by the government.
Madam Atima thanked the association for the gesture and appealed to other benevolent organisations to go to the aid of the cured lepers.