More support for farmers – as Gov’t launches pesticides manual

Georgetown, GINA, October 03, 2007.

Government continues to invest in initiatives that will support farmers and aid further agricultural development. Today a manual to guide effective and safe use of pesticides and toxic chemicals was launched at the Ministry of Agriculture.
            The manual, ‘Farming with Bodhoo and Bains – Pests and Pesticides’ is a pictorial cartoon-like publication that seeks to educate and inform farmers on the safe use of pesticides, particularly as they relate to food production. It was developed by the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) with support from the Rice Competitiveness Project which is funded with assistance from the European Union (EU).
            The initiative is part of the administration’s wider vision to encourage advanced farming that will ensure increased economic activities and increase competitive of agricultural production. Additionally, it is included in the Agriculture Ministry’s agenda to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their production.
              Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at the launching said “the drive towards raising the awareness of the effects of pesticides on the health of workers and the environment has led to the development of this training manual.”
            He added “I am convinced that this manual will enhance the tools available to agricultural trainers and will serve as a challenge to the farming community with respect to pesticide use.”
            Registrar of the PTCCB Basudeo Dwarka, explained that the manual is linked to a previous initiative where six training-of-trainers documents were prepared for sessions on safe pesticides application. It was later recognised that the publications, if simplified, could help farmers and others to better understand and practice safe pesticides usage.
            The initiative is one of the many being made by Government to support agricultural growth through the efficient, effective and safe use of pesticides and toxic chemicals. In 2000, the PTCCB was established as part of the administration’s commitment to the institution of policies for promoting rational pesticide use while alternatives to the country’s unilateral dependency on chemical pesticides were adopted.
Four years later major regulations were introduced to examine the classification of pesticides and toxic chemicals, safe and efficient standards and to reduce the risk of illness or injury resulting from occupational exposure.
            The PTCCB Act was amended earlier this year, enabling Guyana to become a signatory to the Rotterdam Convention that allows for informed decisions on the types of pesticides allowed and not allowed in the country. Additionally, establishment of the Pesticides Laboratory at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, is closer to being realised as the equipment will be procured shortly for its operation.
            The pesticides manual was launched as part of Agriculture Month 2007 being celebrated under the theme ‘The Right to Food-A Reality in Guyana.’

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