The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has strongly cautioned farmers against the use of counterfeit agrochemicals and pesticides for crop production and poultry preservation, citing serious health and safety concerns.
NAFDAC’s Ebonyi State Coordinator, Emeka Orajaka, issued the warning on Thursday during a farmers’ forum themed “Best Practices to Maximise Profits in Poultry Business”, held in Abakaliki. The event was jointly organized by Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Ltd and the Ebonyi chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).
Orajaka emphasized the importance of sourcing agricultural products only from verified and reputable suppliers. He noted that the use of substandard or fake chemicals poses a direct threat not only to food safety but also to public health.
“You must apply good agricultural practices to realise meaningful profit. Any farming activity conducted without adherence to proper standards will ultimately lead to failure,” he said.
He further explained that improper chemical use in agriculture often results in toxic residues in crops and livestock, which can be harmful when consumed by humans. “Bad chemicals used for farming and food preservation can remain in plant or animal tissues, becoming dangerous to human health,” Orajaka added.
While acknowledging the vital role that pesticides and agrochemicals play in reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing productivity, he stressed that only approved products should be used within the agricultural value chain.
In his remarks, Peace Obawo, National Sales Manager at Karma Agric Feeds and Foods Ltd, said the programme aimed to equip farmers with knowledge on the correct use of animal feed and medications in poultry farming. He noted that the central goal was to help farmers improve their profit margins by embracing proper practices.
Obawo also highlighted the dangers of using counterfeit agrochemicals and encouraged participants to avoid them entirely for the safety of both consumers and the farming business.
One of the participants, poultry farmer Joy Egbo, expressed gratitude to Karma Agric and NAFDAC for the training, pledging to advocate for the use of only approved agrochemical products in her farming operations.
