Training extension officers in how to make an inventory of all obsolete pesticides and empty pesticide containers, and how to safeguard the identified products
Nigeria is one of the countries currently implementing the CleanFARMS project. The main objective of the CleanFARMS project is to make an inventory of all obsolete pesticides and empty pesticide containers in a country and to safeguard the identified products.
Although Nigeria is part of the Africa Stockpiles Programme, no inventory had been made of stocks in the private sector. Therefore, CropLife International decided to take on this task. In May 2010, in collaboration with CropLife Nigeria and the Ministry of Environment, activities were started in five pilot states. Extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture were trained in taking inventory after which an active radio campaign alerted agro-dealers and farmers about the upcoming inventory.
By the end of the year, 1,200 forms had been collected and entered into a database. More than 70,000 empty containers and approximately 10 tonnes of obsolete pesticides were identified, of which 10% was highly hazardous or leaking. From the identified obsolete pesticides, 20% were originally manufactured by CropLife International members, 70% by Chinese companies and 10% by other companies.
CropLife International has committed itself to safeguard the identified products in one state. In addition, a pilot project on container management will be set up in the same state. The exercise took place from September to December 2011. A team consisting of staff of importing companies, the Ministry of Environment and a waste collection company will be trained in safeguarding. The pilot container management programme will be in close collaboration with the involved communities.
At the same time, CropLife International is looking for other collaborating agencies to complete the inventory in other states in Nigeria and to safeguard all identified products. A stakeholders meeting was organized in March 2011 and follow up meetings have been taken place. A proposal has been submitted to the National Agricultural Council in which all 36 states of Nigeria are represented.