Use of Food-ripening Chemicals harmful

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has condemned the act of forcibly ripening fruits and other farm produce using harmful chemicals such as carbide because it is harmful to health.

Chief Daniel Okafor who is AFAN Senior Vice President and also doubles as the National President of the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), said that the development can become a factor contributing to the spread of widespread diseases throughout the country.

He said that the association will consider the issue of organizing a meeting of its members and other stakeholders in agriculture in order to draw their attention to this act.

"My own opinion on this matter is that it's not only farmers, but even marketers (traders), so whoever does it, we really condemn it."

"A lot of diseases that people suffer today are the result of using carbide to do something very quickly ripening, it's very wrong."

"There are many ways to ripen fruits in a natural way, and everyone will be happy."

"One thing with fruits and vegetables is that most people want it quickly, and those who do business also want it to quickly meet the requirements, but it's very wrong, and most of them do not even know the health consequences."

"With what is happening now, we are going to convene a meeting on this issue and advise our farmers and sensitize them through networks and print media in local languages ​​so that they can understand the consequences."

"We will see to it that all interested parties take part in this, like traditional rulers, churches, emirs for the dissemination of information," he commented.