Farmers pursue war against pests

An anti-dote chemical was presented to agro-dealers in Douala on June 16, 2016.

Cameroon, like other countries, suffers over 50 per cent post-harvest loss partly due to insects. Maize, rice, groundnuts, cocoa, coffee, among others, are mostly affected by pests; causing huge financial losses to companies and farmers.

To arrest the situation, a company specialised in agricultural products, chemicals and wood, Agrochem, presented possible solutions to dealers in Douala on June 6, 2016.

The chemical product, Phostoxin, kills insects and also stops their reproduction. Phostoxin, according to its Area Sales Manager, Zafitsiory Rasoloheritsimba, the hydrogen phosphide with which the product is made has been the leading active ingredient worldwide for the control of storage pests.

It suffices to apply the correct dose to eliminate all five stages of the development of insects, while averting harm to humans, he added.

Etienne Fouegou, Agrochem Director General, disclosed that the effective use of the product in Cameroon will boost the economy.

Though the product when poorly used has minute negative effects on man and the environment, the Director of Standards and Control in the Ministry of the Environment, Enoh Peter Ayuk, said Phostoxin was necessary in Cameroon’s agro-economy where there is need to protect and stored crops.