By LAWRENCE KABUTU –

THE agriculture industry is one of the sectors that use various chemicals to control and contain pests in crops and livestock.
The use of agro-chemicals is important because they contribute to increased crop yields and livestock population in Zambia.
It is against this background that the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), Crop Life Zambia and Musika, held a four day training workshop for agro-chemical dealers so that they begin to understand chemicals and safe handling practices.
The training workshop was undertaken through a project known as ‘Chemical Safety Capacity Building and Certification of Agro-Chemicals  Dealers Project ‘, that had critical discussions on use, storage, transportation , selling and disposal of empty containers of Pesticides and Toxic Substances (PTS).
Some of the notable PTS reviewed included those classified as Pesticides, Nematocides, Herbicides and Fungicides among many others.
ZEMA principal Information and Communication officer Irene Chipili said the workshop was also aimed at assisting them to comply withnational laws on agro-chemical management and disposal.
The training was also aimed at building capacity in agro chemical dealers to develop confidence in their smallholder customers with the assurance that they are purchasing genuine products, coupled with the right product information.
Ms Chipili said ZEMA had come up with several measures backed by the law to ensure safe handling of agro chemicals to avoid environmental degradation but contribute to boosting the agriculture sector.
For example, the agency was in the process of appointing honorary inspectors in a quest to increase its presence countrywide.
ZEMA Senior Inspector for Pesticides and Toxic Substances Christopher Kanema said the training of agro-chemical dealers will ensure certification of their operations as a legal requirement.
Mr Kanema said ZEMA will vigorously enforce the legal provisions relating to environmental offences after sensitising agro-chemical
dealers against disposal into the environment, a pesticide or toxic substance in contravention of the Act.
He warned agro chemical dealers that a person who contravenes the legal provisions commits an offence liable upon conviction, to a fine  not exceeding five hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or both.-NAIS