Agriculture officials have issued a concerted call for farmers to cut the excessive use of pesticides and switch to the more conventional method of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

The sentiments were echoed on Wednesday, during a farmers’ workshop held at the Fisheries Complex, with specific objectives to sensitize them on the alternative methods to pesticide usage, and its economic value.

Director of Agriculture, Mr. Jedidiah Maxime urged the approximately thirty –five stakeholders converged at the facility to use minimal amount of pesticides in crop production and to ascertain food security by inculcating good agriculture practices or integrated pesticide management strategy by encouraging farm/consumer safety, preservation of the environment; and correct the use of fertilisers and pesticides.

“There are certain chemicals that should not be sprayed around persons due to their level of toxicity,” Mr. Maxime continued, “if and when pesticides are used; it should be a last resort and applied correctly. There is a dangerous practice of farmers inhaling chemicals to identify them and this should not be tolerated,” he said adding that some of these labels might have been deliberately removed to prevent theft.

In outlining the reasons for the pesticide labels, the director of agriculture strongly affirmed that “repackaging and mixing of pesticides and other chemicals should be discontinued.”

The director also highlighted the importance of all farmers in Antigua & Barbuda to adhere to farm safety requirements- which ensure foods are acceptable for consumption.

Farmers were also put on notice that the Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Board will be closely monitoring the situation; and certified farmers, if caught in malpractice would be de-certified.

Meanwhile, Director of Analytical Services Dr. Malverne Spencer described ways in which farmers could minimise exposure to pesticides. He warned that “pesticides in nature are judicious and all pesticides and chemical entering the country must be registered.”

The Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Board, he said, is mandated by law to carry –out such regulatory functions.

Dr. Spencer also underscored the adverse effects of pesticide usage, and urged farmers to be conscious of the consequences of the exposure, which could either be acute (lethal), chronic (delayed) or allergy. “In the case of acute symptoms occur within 24 -48 hrs, and could cause death,” he explained.

The Analytical Services Director detailed factors affecting responses to species “toxicity testing are usually performed on rats, mice and other mammals, therefore the absorption rates may vary from species.”

He urged farmers to wear the appropriate protective clothing, this as, the primary detoxification pathways may differ as well as the critical time period. Size, age and gender are also factors affecting responses, based on the duration of exposure, which could either be through the modes of oral, inhalation and dermal.

While stressing the need to prevent exposure, Dr. Spencer outlined the absorption rate on the body for pesticides and other chemicals.

In male, the scrotal area was the most vulnerable with a high of 11. 8 % , the ear was the second highest with 5.4 %, the forehead, scalp and abdomen were 4.2 %, 3.7 % and 2.1 % respectively, while the palm, foreman and foot were a mere 1.3%, 1% and 1.6%.

Quality Control Officer at the Agriculture Extension Division (AED), Mr. Joel Matthew as part of his presentation aired a documentary on IPM, produced in collaboration with the AED and Gilbert Agriculture Rural Development Centre (CARDC), and Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU.

It contextualised IPM strategies in the areas of chemicals, cultural, physical/mechanical, and biological.

Matthew also outlined steps to ensure the effective implementation of IPM and demonstrated the use of cost effective traps to farmers.

Other areas highlighted during the presentations were the importance of record keeping, issues relating to transportation of chemicals/pesticides, residues, the economic threshold, pest risk analysis and the calculation of toxicity formulation of pesticides and chemicals.

Wednesday’s workshop, according to Extension Officer Mr. Sereno Benjamin was in-keeping with a series of other sensitization program of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment.

He disclosed other areas of focus are that of aquaponics/ aqua-culture to shore –up livelihoods for farmers and residents seeking an alternate.

In attendance at the workshop was Mr. Junior Greene, Sales Agronomist at the Caribbean Chemicals & Agencies Ltd in Trinidad, Dr. Janil Gore –Francis Plant Protection Officer and other officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment.