Climate change is driving excessive use of agrochemicals in the Upper East Region as farmers apply increasing quantities of fertilizers and herbicides in an effort to maintain crop yields despite declining effectiveness, the Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel Y. Wandaat, has said.
According to him, rising temperatures and inadequate soil moisture have reduced the effectiveness of agricultural chemicals, forcing farmers to apply higher dosages at greater cost while exposing the environment to increased pollution.
Dr. Wandaat made the remarks during a courtesy call by the Minister of State in Charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu, on the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, in Bolgatanga.
He said the Upper East Region ranks among the country’s highest consumers of agrochemicals because farmers are compelled to use larger quantities of fertilizers and herbicides to achieve the desired results.
“Farmers use more fertilizer dosage in order to get results and in doing that, they end up polluting the environment,” he said.
Dr. Wandaat explained that fertilizers require adequate soil moisture to dissolve and be absorbed by crops, but prolonged dry conditions and rising temperatures are limiting their effectiveness.
He added that pre-emergence herbicides are equally affected because they need sufficient moisture and time in the soil to control weeds. However, intense sunshine causes the chemicals to break down more quickly before they can perform effectively.
“The chemicals are not able to work effectively because they are biodegradable,” he said.
The EPA Director warned that the trend is increasing production costs for farmers, who are forced to purchase more agrochemicals while harvesting lower returns.
“Farmers buy more, get less results and have to buy again,” he said.
He said the excessive application of agrochemicals was also contributing to environmental pollution, compounding the challenges posed by climate change in the region.
Dr. Wandaat described climate change as a major threat to agriculture in the Upper East Region and called for measures to strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable farming practices.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
