Pallisa farmers trained in pesticide handling

330 farmers and health practitioners from Wakiso, Butebo and Pallisa districts are being trained in proper handling of pesticide use and health environment (PHE).

The meeting held at Kyoga Hotel in Pallisa was to bring on-board all farmers, inputs dealers and officers from the production departments of Pallisa, Butebo and Wakiso districts.

Aggrey Atuhaire the acting project coordinator of pesticide use and health environment said they started in Pallisa because farmers disregard the use of protective gear while spraying and proper pesticide management.

Atuhaire said Pallisa farmers grow cereals and most of them keep the pesticides in their houses they sleep as well as food stores; and that is why Uganda National Association of Community and Occupational Health (UNACOH) intervened.

"People are not supposed to share with agricultural pesticides the same house or keep them in food stores", Atuhaire said.

He said they have so far formulated pesticide committees right from the village up to the district and sensitisation is ongoing.

Sadik Beka the deputy district commissioner of Pallisa applauded UNACOH for the great effort they are doing to save farmers lives from risks.

John Majanga the LC3 chairperson of Putiputi Sub County who is prominent agro-input dealer advised farmers to stop buying inputs that have been displayed for a long time in open markets.

"He said while in his shop he takes time telling farmers the best way of pesticides and mastering the expiry dates", Majanga said.

However, Majanga said the challenge farmers in Uganda have is most of the pesticides in the open market are counterfeit.