Pesticide control board admits failure

Pesticide Control Board (PCB) has admitted that it is failing to satisfy its mandate on controlling pesticides use in the country.

In an interview on Monday, PCB acting director Misheck Soko lamented that although the board, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, is trying to do its best to control use of pesticides, the situation has got out of hand.

“We are trying our best to end this malpractice, but the situation is very serious now. Illegal pesticide dealers are taking advantage of farmers because they cannot differentiate between original and fake ones,” said Soko.

He added that his office has received reports from farmers complaining after using some pesticides bought from the markets. He said instead of gaining from the crops they protected through the pesticides, some farmers have registered huge losses due to the damage caused by the chemicals.

“We are losing a lot as a country because it is only crops that were not attacked by pests that are of high quality and fetch better prizes,” said Soko.

The board has appealed to farmers to ensure they are buying chemicals and pesticides from credible shops and markets. n