Two firms have teamed up to train farmers on best practices of handling pesticides to mitigate risks on human life and environment, as the development will also address the risks associated with disposal of pesticides containers and poor application of chemicals.

Signing a four-year spray service provider (SSP), the two firms, CropLife Malawi and Prosper Markets, agreed to commit to the partnership, to improve access to information and training on how to apply agrochemicals and how to manage and dispose of them.

CropLife Malawi secretary Madalitso Jerenje outlined that farmers may not apply desired quantities at the right time, as they also fail to manage the disposal of containers or residues after applying the chemicals in the field.

On the other hand, CropLife executive secretary Christopher Beya, said that Malawi has 30% counterfeit pesticides, according to various studies, hence the program will also address this to the farmers. he SSP program is being financed by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID).