By Umar Nsubuga
Careless use of pesticides can be fatal. The series on pesticide use remains incomplete without mentioning the safe application and handling of pesticides.
If used without caution they can be dangerous to the health of people and livestock. Hundreds of people constantly abuse pesticide use.
Often large quantities of pesticide are used in the belief that it will act faster.
Alex Kimuli, a fumigator says this is wrong, not only does this endanger life but it can cause a huge loss of money.
In all our commercial farming activities, he says the profit motive should be a driving factor.
Twaha Kakooza, a commercial farmer in Kayunga says the use of pesticides beyond the recommended amounts directly translates into reduced income from our harvest.
Excessive use of pesticides can also be a danger to the crops we intend to protect. Use of the wrong pesticide is common, especially when the farmer does not have full control of the tools used in pesticide application.
Dan Kyobe, a farmer in Janda a few weeks ago lost a large part of his tomato garden due to carelessness. He borrowed a knapsack sprayer for his tomatoes.
He put the correct measure of fungicides in the pump and added water. A few hours after he had finished spraying the tomato plants, they started withering. He was at a loss.
Late in the evening, the neighbour told him that the pump had earlier been lent to another friend who used it to spray a herbicide to kill weeds in his coffee plantation. The garden was destroyed.
Several weeks of hard labour and money pumped into the venture had gone down the drain.
Transforming peasant farming to commercial agriculture will necessitate that farmers invest in the simple tools that will act as a stepping stone to becoming independent progressive farmers. Take a knapsack sprayer for instance. This is a tool that can be purchased on the profits realised after a season’s investment.
However, individual farmers prefer to share this vital tool. At times, they have to wait for some days as those who booked earlier finish spraying. This puts your crops at risk.
A farmer ought to put their money where it matters most. In addition to the tools, there is need for farmers to invest in protective clothing.
This clothing is important for use while spraying the fields. Protective clothing may be expensive, but the truth is that farmers just do not treat it as a priority. Do not handle pesticides with your bare hands. Skins contact, and inhaling the pesticides can cause permanent physical damage.
Kimuli gives tips on mixing and application
–Wear protective clothing such as gloves, eye and nose masks, hat to cover head and gum boots.
-Pour liquid pesticides carefully without splashing
-Understand the mixing rates before mixing
-Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling pesticides
-Do not allow animals and children to come into contact with the chemicals
-Never blow a blocked nozzle with your mouth
-When mixing chemicals, first put a small quantity of water in the tank of the pump, then add the chemical and top up with water.
-Always use the correct nozzles when spraying
-Avoid spraying when strong wind is blowing or when it is about to rain
-Use storage dust when storing harvested grain. Commercial fumigation using chemicals like aluminium phosphide is not recommended at the farm level.
After spraying
–All pesticides that is not used should be put under lock and key
-Never leave unused pesticides in the sprayer
-Bury all empty containers
-Thoroughly clean the sprayer
-Wash all clothing after spraying
