Are we safe with this agro-chemical?

It brought cheers to farmers across the country – the announcement of subsidised fertilisers for farmers. The announcement was first made by the President when he launched the new agricultural programme, “Planting for Food and Jobs”, at Goaso in the Brong Ahafo Region.

It was repeated by the Vice-President last month during his tour of the Northern Region.

Farmers cheered. However the strange thing is that although the use of the chemical has become so fundamental in Africa, it has long ceased to cheer up most people in Europe, where it originally came from.

Europeans realised that the blood does not need vegetables, fruits and roots loaded with chemicals.

 Research findings of the effects of chemical fertilisers draining from farmlands into water sources, as well as recent crises in farming, food scares and increased allergies, have all led to the media, numerous pressure groups and much political effort in Europe to turn creatively to recycling and the provision of green and organic options.

Most consumers claim they are happier and healthier as a result of eating organic foods.

Reading articles assembled especially by the Carel Press and books published by Green Books about these concerns, I wonder why African countries, who are virtually lacking in even the bare minimum of controls, can be expected to use the chemical comfortably without health hazards.

After so many decades, isn’t it time to re-examine the science used to reach the decision to introduce the agro-chemical to African soils?

Is there no need for research to check whether fertilisers have any adverse effect on the life in the soil, water bodies, atmosphere and above all on human health?

Plans reported by the mass media on April 20, 2017 to employ 2,000 extension officers under the new agricultural programme are highly commended.

Indeed, the government should forget about spending money on expensive chemicals and spend it instead on officers who will help farmers think natural and enjoy nature.

We want extension officers to promote the farmers’ tendency to be adventurous, enterprising, imaginative, creative and inventive.

It is good when many people can have access to chemical fertilizers but does it profit us to gain the whole world and lose our farm soils?


wapaduamah@yahoo.com