North-West Development Commission (NWDC) is considering a partnership with the Global Chemical Security and Safety Consultancy to train farmers on the safe use of agricultural chemicals to improve productivity and protect human health and the environment.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, received the management team of the consultancy, led by its Founder and CEO, Dr Mustapha Tijani Usman, during a courtesy visit to the Commission.
In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations NWDC, Abdulrashid Yusuf Safana, the team presented a proposal for collaboration on a practical farmer training project on the safe use of farm chemicals for optimal production across the North-West.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Usman said the organisation was established to promote safety, resilience and sustainability through professional training, research, analysis, monitoring and evaluation of chemical use
He said the proposed partnership would promote safe practices in agrochemical use and strengthen agriculture, which he described as central to food security and stability in the region.
Presenting the proposal, the Director of Chemical Security and Safety, Mr Buba Shanu, said the project was designed to address the need to retrain farmers on the safe and responsible use of herbicides, pesticides, fertilisers and other agricultural chemicals.
He said declining soil productivity caused by continuous cultivation, population pressure on farmland and indiscriminate use of modern agricultural inputs had created health, environmental and productivity risks.
Mr Shanu said many farmers lack adequate knowledge of chemical dosage, handling, storage, pre-harvest intervals and personal safety.
He explained that the organisation’s experience in the fertiliser industry, including work with the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), had informed its advocacy on the safe use of farm chemicals.
According to him, the proposed training would help increase farm yields, reduce health hazards, protect the environment and prevent chemical misuse that could have wider security implications.
The programme is expected to adopt a practical, field-based approach targeting rural farming communities across the seven states of the North-West.
Responding, Professor Ma’aji thanked the delegation for the initiative and said the proposal aligns with the Commission’s mandate in agriculture, food security, human capital development and community resilience.
He said the North-West remains central to Nigeria’s food production and noted that insecurity, low agricultural yields and youth restiveness are interconnected challenges.
Professor Ma’aji assured the delegation that the Commission’s management would review the proposal and develop a workable framework for collaboration.
He added that the NWDC would prioritise partnerships capable of delivering measurable impact, promoting safety and creating jobs for young people and women across the agricultural value chain.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
