Government is committed and has left no stone unturned to provide the best agricultural products to the population while ensuring food security and safety for one and all. To achieve this endeavor, the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, has embarked on an Empty Pesticide Container Management pilot project for farmers.
The project which is a joint initiative of the CropLife International Mauritius with funding from the United Nations Development Programme under the Global Environment Facility small grants programme aims at reducing pollution caused by plastic containers and pesticides residues for the provision of safe and healthy agricultural food while at the same reducing the use of pesticides which are detrimental for health.
In this context, a closing ceremony of the Empty Pesticide Container Management pilot project was held yesterday at the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute in presence of the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun.
Addressing the planters, the Agro-Industry Minister expressed his satisfaction vis-A�-vis the implementation of the Empty Pesticide Container Management pilot project. He gave assurance to the planters that his Ministry will provide all the necessary support to make of this project a success which eventually will help produce safer and sustainable vegetables for consumption while encouraging the production of organic agricultural products. He also appealed and encouraged farmers to adopt the techniques inculcated to them regarding Empty Pesticide Container Management for the well-being of one and all.
He concluded by stressing that the use and appropriate disposal through recycling of crop protection containers has to be managed sustainably to protect both farmer’s health and the environment.
CropLife International Mauritius is a pesticide product stewardship, comprising of education and training programmes for pesticides users and handlers with the safe disposal of used empty containers being a major thrust. Pesticides are hazardous and require sound knowledge on their properties, safe use and proper disposal to avoid health hazards and environmental pollution. CropLife International Mauritius warns and creates awareness about dangers and malpractices; CropLife International Mauritius Training Services, which is MQA Registered, provides training on improving knowledge on chemicals, safe-use, safe-handling, safe-disposal of empty containers and on ‘best practices’ based on worldwide experience.
Source: Government of Mauritius