Mbabane – The Ministry of Agriculture has called for coordinated efforts to manage and eliminate highly hazardous pesticides in order to protect human health, livestock, food safety and the environment.
The call was made during an executive breakfast meeting held yesterday by Minister of Agriculture Mandla Chawuka, through his representative, Principal Secretary Sydney Simelane.
The meeting was attended by local United Nations partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as representatives of agricultural parastatals and grower agencies.
The meeting recognised that while pesticides play an important role in crop protection and pest management, their poor handling and use pose serious risks to sustainable agriculture, human health, livestock and the environment.
Simelane said the management and elimination of highly hazardous pesticides required cooperation among all stakeholders, including ministry departments, agricultural parastatals, grower organisations, development partners and the private sector.
He said an integrated approach was necessary to ensure that agricultural production remained productive while reducing the risks associated with hazardous chemicals.
“Integrated Pest Management enables farmers to combine different pest control methods, reduce unnecessary pesticide use, protect beneficial organisms and manage pests in an economically and environmentally responsible manner,” said Simelane, speaking on behalf of the minister.
He added that the country’s objective was not simply to replace one chemical with another, but to promote safer and more resilient production systems.
“Our goal is not to replace one chemical with another, but to support a transition towards safer, more resilient and scientifically informed production systems that protect productivity and farmers’ health,” he said.
The outcomes of the breakfast meeting are expected to inform a broader national stakeholder engagement workshop scheduled to take place tomorrow at the George Hotel in Manzini.
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