GACA warns farmers on agrochemical safety

The Ghana Agrochemicals and Crop Protection has ended its two-day exhibition in Techiman with experts advising farmers to carefully select agrochemicals and inputs to ensure environmental sustainability and health safety.

During the two-day event, farmers were urged to pay close attention to details on agricultural chemicals to prevent potential risks.

Held under the theme “Sustaining the Climate and the Environment: The Role of Agricultural Input Dealers,” the event featured practical and engaging sessions to enhance best agricultural practices as the 2025 planting season begins.

Addressing farmers and input dealers, Bono East Regional Minister Francis Owusu Antwi praised the organisers, emphasising the event’s relevance to the region’s agricultural sector.

“The Bono East region, known as Ghana’s food basket, thrives on agriculture, and we believe such events foster relationships that drive responsible agricultural practices,” he said.

He encouraged agricultural stakeholders to collaborate in promoting responsible input use for resilient, climate-smart farming systems.

“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that inputs distributed to farmers are both effective and safe for human health and the environment.

“The Bono East Regional Coordinating Council urges all stakeholders to intensify education on the safe handling, application, and disposal of agrochemicals to prevent environmental degradation and health hazards,” he stated.

He further stressed the crucial role of input dealers in ensuring sustainable agriculture.

“The influence of agricultural input dealers on productivity cannot be overemphasised. It is essential that they import and promote the right products for responsible use and environmentally friendly farming to protect human health and the ecosystem.”

Alberta Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse, the organisers of the exhibition, told Asaase Business that the initiative seeks to evaluate input companies’ real intentions while helping farmers boost yields and improve nutrition.

“This is a great opportunity. We want to encourage the youth to venture into input dealerships and make inputs more accessible to farmers while enhancing their capacity in modern input applications,” she stated.

She also highlighted plans for a farmer-to-farmer dialogue to address challenges and find solutions.

“Our main agenda is to ensure that farmers gain access to quality crop nutrition and protection during this pre-planting season. Access to the right inputs is key to ensuring food sustainability in the agricultural value chain,” she said.

Discussions also focused on integrated soil management systems, combining organic and inorganic chemicals to enhance farming.

Farmers were cautioned against buying cheap, substandard chemicals and were advised to always check product labels before application.

The second edition of the GACA sensitisation programme attracted thousands of farmers and farmer groups. The event provided a platform for farmers, input dealers, and industry players to exchange ideas on innovative farming techniques.

Farmers also had the opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and form new partnerships to drive positive change in the agricultural sector.

Report by Dauda Zul-Kiful for Asaase News, Bono East

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