Cocoa farmers in Cross River have charged the Federal Government to prohibit the fake and substandard pesticides from entry the country.
The farmers under the umbrella body, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Cross River chapter, gave the charge on Tuesday while fielding questions from newsmen in Calabar.
Mr Ejor Bissong, CAN chairman in the State, said all the government needed to do is to set up task force to this effect.
He noted that if possibly, cocoa producers should be prevented from having access to the pesticides which impacts negatively on the quality and tonnes of cocoa produce.
The association also urged Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to ban pesticides which quality had been known to be sub-standard.
He also said effort must be made to ensure that these pesticides does not find their ways into Nigeria market.
Bissong stressed the need to maintain standard and quality cocoa beans known to be of great impact at the international cocoa market.
He said that if cocoa beans produced by farmers in the country were of better grade, there is likelihood for the price per tonne to increase.
“Good quality beans remains a major determinant of good price,” he stated.
“CAN members should get copies of approved standards made available by SON. Right methods of application of pesticides like the European Union (EU) standard or even the Japanese standard should be adopted.
“Accredited laboratories are available for determining the true quality of cocoa.
“Policy makers must be encouraged to come up with legislations that are friendly to our case,” he stated.
