FG develops pesticide to fight Tomato pests

 

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has developed a pesticide agent that is very effective against the new tomato Pest-Tuta Absoluta which has recently ravaged tomato farms in Nigeria and has been of great concern to the nation.

The  Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, made this disclosure in Abuja yesterday when he received in audience a delegation from Kids-Fest.

According to the minister, an agency under his ministry- The National Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria developed the pesticide agent, using natural resources available in the country.

Dr. Onu further opined that the pesticide is a ready solution to the rampaging pests and there is no reason whatsoever to “go outside the country to import a solution”.

It is the view of the minister that the development of the pesticide agent and the expected mass production by industrialists and support from other sources will make Nigeria contribute to food security in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, according to the minister, is always ready to provide necessary support to all sectors of the economy in the sustained effort to promote national development.

Earlier on, the National Project Coordinator of Kids-Fest Nigeria, Prince Paul Ikonne, had informed the minister that the Kids-Fest Foundation is part of a global project which was founded by a German woman named Sussane Prahl in Sarajevo shortly after the ethnic crisis that rocked that part of the world over a decade ago.

It has since become a global brand that promotes social integration of children through various events designed for children to mingle, share useful ideas, learn new skills, exhibit their creative talents and generally entertain themselves and the society at large from their innocent and free spirited viewpoints.

The Nigeria edition is scheduled to hold in Abuja this August and the minister assured the delegation of the support of the ministry in ensuring the realization of the laudable objectives of Kids-Fest Nigeria.