Togo: Fight against pesticide residues to protect public health

Togo is firmly committed to reducing the risks associated with pesticide residues in agricultural products in order to better protect the health of its population. On Tuesday, September 30, the Ministry of the Environment approved the final report on the assessment of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, as well as the analysis of health risks for consumers.

This initiative is part of the "Project to Support Efficient Pesticide Management in the Agricultural Sector," supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The report provides an overview of pesticide use in Togo and highlights the health and environmental hazards associated with their use.

The document proposes several key measures, including:

• Capacity building for stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
• Improved regulation of pesticide trade.
• Promotion of more responsible and sustainable agricultural practices.

Koffi Aoufoh Dimizou, Secretary General of the Ministry of the Environment, stressed that this report now constitutes an essential reference for guiding future actions and strengthening the rational management of pesticides in Togo.

It is important to remember that a pesticide is a chemical substance used to control harmful organisms, such as insects (insecticides), weeds (herbicides), rodents (rodenticides) and fungi (fungicides), which threaten crops and food products.

Therese V.