By Faridat Salifu
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over the use of counterfeit agrochemicals and pesticides in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, warning that such practices pose serious health and safety risks.
Speaking at a farmers’ forum on Thursday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, NAFDAC State Coordinator Emeka Orajaka urged farmers to purchase only certified products from verified sources.
The event, themed “Best Practices to Maximise Profits in Poultry Business,” was organised by Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Ltd in collaboration with the Ebonyi chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).
Mr Orajaka stressed that good agricultural practices are essential to achieving profitability in farming and poultry. He cautioned that the use of unapproved chemicals can lead to the accumulation of harmful substances in food, threatening human health.
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“You can imagine when people use bad chemicals for farming and preservation of food. These harmful substances can remain in the body of plants or animals and pose a serious health risk when consumed,” he said.
He noted that pesticides and agrochemicals play a vital role in reducing post-harvest losses and boosting productivity, but their misuse remains a major concern. NAFDAC, he said, only licenses competent dealers to distribute agrochemicals, and farmers must avoid unregulated products.
Also speaking at the event, Peace Obawo, National Sales Manager of Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Ltd, said the programme was aimed at educating farmers on proper feed and medication practices.
He reiterated the dangers of counterfeit agrochemicals and urged farmers to avoid them for the safety of consumers and sustainability of the industry.
The forum brought together stakeholders in poultry farming to discuss best practices for improving output and ensuring food safety.
