Training of Farmers and Farmer Associations on Safe Use and Storage of Pesticides and Other Inputs in Nigeria

The initiative aims to ensure that all trainings developed by the project conform with the Nigeria MARKETS II PERSUAP, a set of guidelines that outlines the approved use of pesticides and other inputs in Nigeria. The initiative involves training farmers and farmer associations on the safe use and storage of pesticides, as well as the promotion of proven inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, fumigants, and pesticides that do not increase soil and crop contamination of targeted contaminants. The project also aims to promote the use of safe and non-contaminating mitigation technologies like hermetic storage as an alternative to pesticide and fumigant use. To ensure compliance with the Nigeria MARKETS II PERSUAP, all training materials will be reviewed prior to delivery to ensure they are in compliance with the approved PERSUAP. All trainers will be trained in the proper and approved techniques of pesticide use and storage to ensure they are providing training to beneficiaries in compliance with the approved PERSUAP. Any inputs that have not been previously approved in the PERSUAP or other USAID approvals will undergo a full assessment to ensure they create no negative environmental impact and be submitted to USAID for review and approval prior to inclusion in training materials. The initiative also involves training grain aggregators on safe use and storage of fumigation and other input-based post-harvest grain treatments to reduce contamination by targeted contaminants. The project will only utilize proven inputs that have been promoted by existing USAID projects in Nigeria to ensure they have no negative impact on the environment and are appropriate and adapted to the local environment. In addition, the initiative aims to implement and promote the use of on-farm soil and grain testing of targeted contaminants using mobile testing technology. All testing technologies utilize non-toxic testing strips, and once testing is complete, testing strips will be disposed of through local waste disposal. Senior technical staff will conduct regular monitoring of trainings to ensure messages are in compliance. The Team Leader and Senior Technical Advisor (STA) are responsible for ensuring that all trainings developed by the project conform with the Nigeria MARKETS II PERSUAP and that all trainers are trained in the proper and approved techniques of pesticide use and storage. They will also conduct regular monitoring of trainings to ensure messages are in compliance. The initiative's focus on promoting the safe use and storage of pesticides and other inputs aims to reduce environmental risks and health hazards associated with their use. By promoting the use of proven inputs and safe and non-contaminating mitigation technologies, the initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of farmers and their families, as well as the environment.