Georgetown: The importance of proper storage and sale of chemicals in Guyana remains a cause for concern and the Ministry of Agriculture through the aegis of the Pesticide Board has since ‘up the ante’ with regards to awareness of the danger unsafe practices of the latter can cause.
The Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board (PCTCB), which has direct responsibilities for monitoring of pesticides have been playing the lead role in raising awareness through sensitization campaigns countrywide, ensuring compliance with the safety standards recommended by the Board.
Among the many initiatives carried out by the Pesticide Board, a Pesticide Awareness Corner in Secondary School and proper pesticide storage competition were held. The competition which was held as part of the Boards campaign saw schools being honored for their contribution today at an Award Ceremony at the De Impeccable Banquet Hall, Brickdam.
Agriculture Minister Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy while delivering the feature address at the event underscored the importance of proper storage and sale of chemical, alluding to the fact that while it is not the main cause, easy access of the substance has been one of the contributing factors of suicide cases.
He added that while pesticides boast opportunities such as improved yields, improper usage can be detrimental.
“We as a country must understand that pesticide kills, regardless of is usage, we must understand that improper use of chemicals is a cause for concern and while much has been done over the years to raise awareness and reduce the number of deaths, there is still room for improvement,” he said.
Minister Ramsammy stated that specific attention must be placed on safer storage of pesticides and called on all users to comply with all safety rules and regulations.
Presently, Guyana remains one of a few countries which possesses an entity such as the Pesticide Board which is tasked with the responsibility of regulating the importation, sale, use and storage of toxic chemicals.
“We have been tightening rules which govern the trade of pesticide and now we have made it a criminal act for someone to sell pesticide to a miner. This is necessary as we are aiming to change the way pesticide is sold in Guyana,” he said.
Trecia David, Registar, Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Board, in giving an overview of the programme, spoke of some of the work the organization has been doing to raise awareness of the important of pesticide.
According to David, one such is working with Secondary Schools as it is one avenue for children to be sensitizedon the importance and proper use of pesticide.
“I have been to homes and see pesticides in kitchen where the wife is cooking and so children are exposed on many occasions to chemical when they are not stored properly,” she said.
The competition has been running for the last five years and encompasses certain criteria which schools were expected to fulfill. Among these were;- creativity, size of pesticide awareness corner, use of language, flow of chart, students participation and use of materials given to them.
This year, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary came out the winner- benefiting from $100,000 in farming equipment and a trophy. The second and third places were awarded to Zeeburg and Charity Secondary respectively.
Fort Wellington, Wakapoa, Patentia and Central Corentyne Secondary Schools benefited from consolation prizes. Geddes Grant Guyana Limited won the prize for best storage facility in Guyana.
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