Nahimat Adekoga
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has concluded arrangements to train farmers in Kogi and Ondo states on proper handling of farm produce.
NAFDAC Director, Special Duties, Dr Abubakar Jimoh in Abuja on Sunday told journalists that the farmers would be trained on how to best apply fertilisers on the crops.
“We shall train farmers on the best practices and the correct way of applying fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals for storage of their harvests,” he said.
Jimoh said operators of fast food outlets in both states would also be trained.
Jimoh explained that NAFDAC had carried out an investigation into the incident of the dead persons with a view to addressing the problem. As he noted that some people also consumed poisonous beans in some places.
He said the agency had taken statistics of farmers and operators of all food outlets in both states that would participate in a workshop to be organised by the agency.
According to him, farmers would trained on how to handle critical aspects of food chain from the farms to consumers’ table.
He said, “We will also teach farmers how to dry their produce because they often spread them on the expressway where such are exposed to contamination and it is hazardous to the health of members of the public.
He said though, training of farmers is not the statutory duty of the agency but, NAFDAC cannot fold its arms and allow people’s life to be lost as a result of lack of proper handling of farm produce.
“Though this is not part of the mandate of NAFDAC as we deal mainly with processed foods, but we cannot close our eyes in a matter that affects peoples’ health,’’ he said.
