Garuba links food safety crisis to chemical misuse on farms

Founder of Voice of the Farmers, Afeez Olumide Garuba, has blamed the growing incidence of food poisoning and food-related illnesses in Nigeria on the misuse of agricultural chemicals by farmers and inadequate awareness of safe farming practices. His remarks come on the heels of recent concerns raised by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who disclosed that unsafe food accounts for over 53,000 deaths annually, while an estimated 50 million Nigerians suffer from food-related diseases.

Speaking on Villa Square, a special segment of Cr8tive 9ja, a weekly tourism and cultural magazine programme on Mainland 98.3 FM Lagos, Garuba described the statistics as a reflection of a deeper crisis in Nigeria's food production chain. According to him, discussions around agriculture in Nigeria have largely focused on food security while neglecting food safety.

Many people focus on food security rather than food safety. When food issues make the news, the conversation is almost always about failing to achieve food security, while food safety is ignored. True food safety spans from farm to table. To achieve it, farmers, logistics providers, processors and the government must all play their respective roles across the supply chain.

— Afeez Olumide Garuba, Founder, Voice of the Farmers

Premature harvesting skips mandatory chemical withdrawal periods

He identified the improper use of fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals as a major contributor to food contamination, particularly in vegetables, explaining that established guidelines exist for applying fertilizer to ensure healthy crop yield but are routinely mishandled by farmers.

There are established guidelines for applying fertilizer to ensure a healthy crop yield. However, many farmers mishandle this process. We face significant issues with chemical residues in our food, particularly in vegetables. When fertilizers or pesticides are sprayed, there is a mandatory withdrawal period, a timeframe during which the chemicals must naturally break down before harvest. Unfortunately, due to greed and unprofessionalism, some farmers harvest their crops prematurely and rush them to the market. Unsuspecting consumers purchase these items, unknowingly ingesting dangerous chemicals that lead to severe illness.

— Afeez Olumide Garuba

Garuba further noted that similar practices occur in livestock farming, where some producers administer medications to animals and fail to observe the required withdrawal periods before selling them for consumption. According to him, farmers must take greater responsibility for ensuring food safety standards are maintained.

Our goal is to create robust awareness around food safety in Nigeria, moving beyond just food security. We are actively sensitizing farmers on proper storage and handling.

— Afeez Olumide Garuba

The "Four Rs" principle and the cost of fertilizer overuse

He recalled that the Federal Government had introduced fertilizer application guidelines based on the "Four Rs" principle - the Right source, the Right time, the Right place and the Right rate - to promote responsible fertilizer use and improve food safety outcomes. Garuba also warned that excessive application of fertilizers not only endangers public health but also increases production costs for farmers.

It is not just about food poisoning; it is also about cost. When a farmer applies excessive fertilizer hoping to force rapid growth, they are indirectly losing money. Many farmers simply lack the proper training, and ultimately, it is the consumers who pay the price with their health.

— Afeez Olumide Garuba

The agricultural expert urged governments at all levels, non-governmental organisations and industry stakeholders to intensify farmer education programmes and strengthen enforcement of food quality regulations, stressing that ensuring food safety requires collective responsibility across the agricultural value chain.

Food safety is everybody's business.

— Afeez Olumide Garuba

Also speaking, award-winning tourism journalist, Frank Meke, called for urgent policy reforms and proactive government intervention to address the growing threat of food poisoning, warning that the increasing prevalence of unsafe food poses serious risks to public health, particularly among young Nigerians. In his concluding remarks, Garuba cautioned against excessive dependence on food imports, urging Nigerians to harness the country's agricultural potential while strengthening local systems that guarantee food safety and sustainability.