Berekum: The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has issued a warning to vegetable farmers, urging them to consult Agriculture Extension Agents (AEAs) prior to applying agro-chemicals to their crops to avert potential food poisoning.

According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Louisa Asantewaa, an Agriculture Officer at the Berekum West District in the Bono Region, expressed her concerns over the improper use of agro-chemicals by some farmers. This misapplication is linked to food poisoning and has been associated with various health issues, including deformities and mental health conditions in children, infertility among young women, and kidney-related problems.

Madam Asantewaa provided this guidance during a training session for vegetable farmers involved in tomato and cabbage production in Chiraa, located in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region. The session, organized by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) with support from the Kosmos Innovation Center and Mastercard Foundation, was attended by 55 members of the Brenyekwa Farmers Association in the Municipality.

Highlighting the issue, Madam Asantewaa noted that many farmers fail to read the application instructions on agro-chemical labels, leading to their indiscriminate use. She emphasized that such practices contaminate vegetables and cause food poisoning, urging farmers to adopt safer practices to protect public health.

Mr. Benjamin Sarfo, the Programmes Officer of the PFAG, reiterated the Association’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers by addressing challenges in their farming practices. He encouraged the formation of cooperatives at the local level to enhance problem-solving capabilities and access to credit facilities and markets.

Mr. Daniel Kofi Yeboah, a tomato farmer and facilitator at the training, advised farmers to monitor weather patterns and adhere to AEAs’ recommendations on spraying and staking crops to minimize losses.