“Expert Warns: Farm Chemicals Pose Long-Term Health and Environmental Risks”

An agricultural expert has raised alarm over the long-term dangers posed by chemicals used in Nigerian farming practices, warning of serious health and environmental consequences if action is not taken.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS, Professor Simon Irtwange, an agricultural processing and storage specialist, said science is increasingly linking the use of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers to a wide range of negative impacts on humans, soil, and biodiversity.

“These substances don’t just go away after use,” Irtwange explained. “They seep into our water systems, contaminate the soil, and enter the food chain, where they build up in the human body. The long-term risks are very real.”

He added that the effects go beyond human health, warning that Nigeria’s biodiversity is under serious threat. According to him, pollinators like bees, soil microbes, and other vital organisms are being wiped out by chemical exposure, weakening the entire agricultural ecosystem.

Environmentalists and food safety advocates say Irtwange’s comments come at a critical time. As Nigeria grapples with climate change and food insecurity, there is growing concern that the country’s heavy dependence on chemical inputs may be doing more harm than good.

Agricultural policies from previous decades largely focused on high-yield solutions, often overlooking the environmental cost. But experts like Irtwange believe it’s time to rethink that approach.

He called on regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to review existing policies and push for safer alternatives.

“There are better ways to grow food—ways that are safer, healthier, and more sustainable,” Irtwange said.

As pressure mounts for a shift towards organic and regenerative agriculture, Irtwange’s warning serves as a reminder: what goes into the soil and onto crops today could shape the nation’s health and environment for decades to come.