The National Environmental Agency (NEA) on Friday brought together farmers, security personnel and other stakeholders in the Upper River Region (URR) for a two-day intensive sensitisation training on chemicals and pesticides handling method. The training was held at the Regional Educational Directorate hall in Basse Mansajang Kunda, URR.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jewru Krubally, chairperson of the training, urged the participants to make best use of the training. He advised participants to avoid purchasing chemicals and pesticides from local traders who do not know anything about chemicals. Krubally further urged them to always seek advice on the use of the chemicals, pointing out that there are different chemicals with different purposes. He finally thanked the NEA for organising the training and appealed to the participants to apply the knowledge gained.

For his part, Momodou Kanteh, director of Technical Services at the NEA, said the training is part of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemical project. He said the training will help to increase the knowledge of the participants on how to properly handle and use chemicals and pesticides without harming them, among others. He urged the participants to make best use of the training and to disseminate the knowledge gained among their various communities. According to him, the improper use and accessibility of chemicals pose a threat to the life of those using it for their production, among others. He added that the environment will be at risk if the chemicals and pesticide are not used in the right way and for the right purpose.

Officially declaring the training open, Momodou S. Jallow, deputy governor of URR described the training as very timely and important, cognizant of the dangers of chemicals and pesticides if they are not used in the right way and purchased from the right people. He also wished participants all the best in their deliberations. For his part, Mustapha Sanneh, senior agricultural officer at the Plant Protection Services who made a presentation on introduction to pesticides, said they are generally very powerful chemicals that although are intended to act specifically on pests, could also affect human beings and the environment.

He explained that pesticides are classified into various types such as fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, acaricide, nematicide, and rodenticide, adding that they can enter the body through routes, oral, respiratory, and from a pregnant woman to her baby.  Alhaji Saja Konateh of the Department of Agriculture also made a presentation on the damages caused by the different pesticides and how to avert them.