Product Stewardship Training in China to promote sustainable agriculture

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Publish time: 13th June, 2014      Source: China Crop Protection Industry Association
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Between 4th to 6th June, public trainings among farmers on safe use of agrichemicals took place in Shandong and Jiangxi provinces in China. As joint efforts among BCS China, National Agro-tech Extension & Service Center (NATESC), China Crop Protection Industry Association (CCPIA) and Provincial Plant Protection Stations (PPS), the trainings provided vegetable farmers with detailed instructions and knowledge on how to use agrochemicals rationally and safely.


Experts from BCS explained the safe use of agrichemicals and the potential risks of abuse, and demonstrated how to operate the devices. Farmers in attendance also received free protection kit and a guideline compiled by NATESC.


Over 140 participants gathered at both events, including government officials, Bayer representatives and farmers. Mr. Zhenrun Shao, division head, pesticide and spray equipment division of NATESC, Mr. Jian Ji, division head, pesticide and spray equipment division of Shandong PPS, Mr. Wu Qi, Head of Information and Consultation, PPCIA, Mr. Alfred Wantulla, Global Product Stewardship Manager, BCS and Dr. Jingquan Guo, APAC Product Stewardship and Sustainability Manager, BCS, all emphasized the significance of safe use for health, environment and the society at large, and all encouraged farmers to act immediately.


Currently, Chinese farmers are not adequately educated on the proper use of agrichemicals. As always, Bayer advocates the sustainable development of agriculture, promote safe use of agrichemicals by trainings among farmers and technical professionals, aiming to minimize the risks for human health and the environment and to ensure food safety.


Bayer's efforts in China include Glove Campaign in vegetable and fruit production regions and "Safe use and glove campaign of on-farm seed treatment' in regions mainly producing field crops. Roughly RMB 300,000 each year is dedicated to this purpose. Around 150,000 farmers are trained each year, 60,000 pairs of gloves and other protection tools distributed.