Stakeholders in agriculture meet over methyl bromide use
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture in charge of Crops, Dr Alhassan Yakubu, has called on stakeholders in the sector to come up with strategies that can complement agricultural production in the country.
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The implementation of those strategies, he said, would enhance agricultural production.
Dr Yakubu was speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture at the opening of an international workshop on methyl bromide in Accra yesterday.
The workshop, organised by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global Office in Kenya, in partnership with the Religious Bodies Network on Climate Change (RELBONET), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Peasant Farmers Association, was intended to look into the use of methyl bromide and its phase out from agricultural practice and adopt alternative technologies.
Methyl bromide is an odourless, colourless gas that has been used as a soil and structural fumigant to control pests across a wide range of agricultural sectors.
It has been identified as the main contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer.
For about 60 years, it has been one of the most widely used fumigants in the world because of its broad spectrum effect, efficient penetration of the soil and for commodities, quick action and comparatively low cost of treatment.
It has, however, been estimated to cause between five and 10 per cent of total depletion of the earth’s stratosphere and increase the level of ultra-violent radiation which has been linked to skin cancer, eye cataracts and degradation of the immune system.
Also, direct exposure to methyl bromide leads to acute and chronic health problems, including respiratory difficulties, neurological disorders and even death.
Dr Yakubu said in developing countries such as Ghana, methyl bromide was used to fumigate soil-borne pests such as nematodes and perishable products such as fruits and vegetables.
He said it was important to have alternative methods which posed lower health risks and led to the conservation of the natural resource and the global environment.
“Given the dangers associated with methyl bromide use, it is important for us to continue to explore and promote the next alternatives available to us,” he added.
Dr Yakubu also urged stakeholders to build the technical capacity of farmers and other major stakeholders in order to achieve sustainability in agricultural production with the phasing out of methyl bromide.
By Zainabu Issah/Daily Graphic/Ghana
