The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has announced plans to inaugurate an intensive media campaign aimed at raising awareness among users and sellers of agricultural chemicals.

Hamis Yahaya, NAFDAC coordinator in Bauchi, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday. He said the campaign had become imperative with the onset of the rainy season.

According to him, the campaign is designed to educate marketers on the importance of procuring genuine and quality products.

“Part of the programme will also address key issues such as the proper storage and display of agricultural chemicals in markets. Exposing chemicals to sunlight can degrade their quality and cause harmful reactions.

“Direct sunlight can lead to loss of efficacy, and interaction with heat may pose serious health risks,” he explained.

Mr Yahaya emphasised the need for grassroots education on best practices and the consequences of improper disposal of chemical containers.

“We want to educate sellers to the extent that they, in turn, will educate buyers on how to use the chemicals properly, strictly following the instructions on product labels. To ensure broad outreach, NAFDAC plans to partner with the Bauchi State Ministry of Information for effective dissemination of information.

“We are adopting various communication channels, including radio stations, to reach wider audiences, especially farmers in rural communities,” he added.

The coordinator also mentioned that a sensitisation exercise had earlier been conducted in partnership with the National Orientation Agency at the Soro Weekly Market in Ganjuwa LGA.

He said the exercise targeted major marketers and buyers, generating valuable feedback on the use of agricultural chemicals by local farmers.

The coordinator said NAFDAC also held a meeting with the Forum of Agrochemical and Pesticide Dealers in the state to discuss the registration of manufactured products.

“We are encouraging small and medium enterprises to come forward and register their products with NAFDAC so they can operate legally and safely,” he added.

(NAN)