The Federal Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Niger State, has warned farmers to stop using too many chemicals on their crops. The programme said the overuse of these substances during farming and storage can harm people who eat the food.
The warning was shared during an awareness campaign held in Doko, located in Lavun Local Government Area. The campaign focused on discouraging the common practice of drying food items along the roadside. Speaking at the event, the VCDP Business, Marketing and Development Officer in the state, Mrs. Elizabeth Yisa, said poor food handling methods are linked to several health problems.
She explained that despite repeated education efforts, some farmers still do not follow proper instructions when using farm chemicals. According to her, this careless approach can put the health of many people at risk.
Yisa noted that instead of using the correct quantity of chemicals mixed with water, some farmers apply far more than recommended, sometimes up to six times the right amount, just to speed up crop growth. She warned that these chemicals do not completely disappear, even after the food is processed, and can still affect those who consume it. She added that using too many chemicals during storage is also dangerous.
She further advised cassava processors to properly fry garri instead of drying it by the roadside. Where drying is necessary, she encouraged the use of clean and controlled spaces. She stressed that the programme continues to train farmers on safe practices from production to processing.
Also speaking at the event, Nurse Leah Yisa from IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna warned that eating food contaminated with too many chemicals or dried in dirty places can lead to serious illnesses. She mentioned diseases such as cancer, including leukemia and lung cancer, as possible risks.
She said participants were taught how harmful chemicals can build up in the body over time and cause long-term health problems.
Religious leaders who attended the programme, including Pastor David G. and Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, promised to pass the message to their followers. They said they would help spread awareness about the dangers of roadside drying and the misuse of farm chemicals.
Some farmers at the event, including Mrs. Grace and Audu Dazhr, also spoke out. They criticised the habit of exposing food to dirty environments, saying it is unsafe for both farmers and consumers.
They called on local authorities to bring back sanitation teams that can monitor hygiene in food processing areas and ensure that agricultural products are handled safely.
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