The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) have cautioned farmers against using pesticides and chemicals in storing dried beans and other legume crops.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop in Sokoto, Akin Olagbaju of the NSPRI said the exercise was organised to enhance the capacity of farmers and merchants on how best to preserve beans for effective and profitable exportation.

Mr Olagbaju highlighted several ways farmers and merchants could store their beans and legume crops without using any form of insecticide.

“The use of chemicals for storage is the cause of several ailments such as cancer, among many others ravaging ills in society. The NSPRI is also working on research on how to best store onions and other varieties of crops for long-term use and exportation,” he said.

NEPC trade support adviser Yahaya Ahmad-Sukaraiju said 95 bean farmers and merchants were selected in Sokoto for the exercise.

Mr Ahmad-Sukaraiju urged participants to use the opportunity to practice what they learned for business advantages and for the benefit of their produce.

“If you put these storage options, you are taught today to proper use. You will not use chemicals in preserving your crops. These chemicals are dangerous to human health,” said Mr Ahmad-Sukaraiju.

(NAN)