Ban dangerous chemicals in farming, food processing, Church tells Govt

The Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion) women in Onitsha, Anambra State, have raised concern over the use of harmful chemicals in farming, challenging Federal and State Governments to ban the practice.

They stated that farmers and traders alike now use toxic substances to either ripen fruits quickly, kill weeds or preserve grains, or even to catch fish.

The women raised the alarm on Monday during the 2025 annual conference deliberations, which touched on the use of dangerous chemicals in farming, highlighted major side effects of such substances in farming and food processing.

Delivering an 84-page Presidential Address at the year’s women’s summit holding at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Oba, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State, the women’s leader, Elsie Nwokolo, condemned the practice.

She said, “This women’s conference has observed with utmost dismay how in many parts of Nigeria today, chemicals are being dangerously and indiscriminately misused in agriculture.

“While these practices may yield short-term profits, they are known to pose serious long-term threats to human health”.

Nwokolo, a renowned pharmacist, explained some health implications of the said substances, noting that, “Recent scientific studies have linked these chemicals to cancer, liver and kidney failure, infertility, and birth defects.

“Sadly, we, women and our children, being primary caregivers and food handlers, are the most sufferers.

“This conference, therefore, earnestly appeals to governments to act urgently to ban the use of these dangerous chemicals in agriculture and fishing.

“Let us return to safe, organic, and traditional farming practices that preserve both our human health and the environment.

“Women, as homemakers, must raise their voices against this silent poisoning. We must not keep quiet. We deserve clean food, safe water, and a healthy future for our children.

“It is time for action from our leaders and communities, not just talk.”

The conference, whose central theme was “Christ in You, the Hope of Glory “, (Col. 1: 27) highlighted various aspects of the Christian life, and with a passionate appeal to believers to deliberately embrace Christ, without whom it said, “there’s no hope”.