How to handle agrochemicals safely

At a Vineyard Workers' Development course held recently in Paarl, Rosa Kruger and Trix Quixley spoke about the importance of the safe and responsible handling and use of agrochemicals. 

- Glenneis Kriel

Each year, there are reports of farmers who suffer losses because of the incorrect use of agrochemicals. This can be due to using the wrong products, such as when a herbicide is mistaken for a pesticide, or the incorrect use of the right product, according to Rosa Kruger, founder of the Vineyard Workers’ Development Trust.

Kruger says using the wrong product can wipe out an entire orchard or vineyard. Incorrect use of a product can cause financial losses by failing to protect crops against pests and diseases, or having a negative impact on plant growth, yield and product quality.

Using incorrect dosages, or the overuse of products with the same active ingredients or from the same chemical group, can also result in pests, diseases or weeds developing resistance to specific chemical groups, leaving farmers with fewer management options.

The incorrect use of agrochemicals can be harmful to the environment, causing leaching into water systems or destroying beneficial insects, such as bees. It can also be dangerous to human health. For example, people may suffer from ailments if they ingest or inhale a product, or their skin, eyes and sinuses may be affected.

Moreover, health problems might only appear later in life, due to repeated exposure, when the damage is already done and there is little that can be done to reverse the problem.

Trix Quixley, technical manager responsible for vineyards and berries at NexusAG, says many older agrochemical workers have serious  health problems today because they once worked with dangerous chemicals without using any personal protective equipment (PPE).