WAAPP-Nigeria sets pesticides platform to address export challenges in Katsina
In view of the emerging challenges faced by agro-commodity exporters, particularly the ban of some Nigeria agro-commodities in some countries, the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) on Monday said it is set to interact with its stakeholders in the pesticides platform in Katsina with a view to easing their challenges.
According to James Ocheme Apochi, the acting national project coordinator of WAAPP-Nigeria, a lot has been done by the agency’s pesticides platform in the area of registration, regulation and use.
He however added that since the commencement of these activities, WAAPP-Nigeria has set in motion measures to ensure routine visits and also to create avenue for interaction with the supposed beneficiaries in the intervention areas.
Apochi noted that it has become imperative to have one on one discussion with farmers that have benefited from WAAPP sponsored pesticides activities, alongside visitations to individual and corporate farms in Katsina.
WAAPP-Nigeria has since December 2014, along with other 5 ministries, departments and agencies, such as the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), the National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the federal ministry of environment and federal ministry of agriculture and rural development, identified Katsina State as most important user of pesticides.
They have already conducted advocacy and town hall meeting with the theme “imperative of personal protective equipment in handling of pesticides and training workshop on safe handling of pesticides, before, during and after application.”
Apochi lamented how some agro-commodities from Nigeria are being rejected in some countries, noting that WAAPP-Nigeria is stepping up the campaign as a follow-up of its activities.
He further added that WAAPP-Nigeria will continue to collaborate and support all relevant and sister organizations to ensure, that the challenges are being addressed.