Tomato farmers in Nakuru have been cautioned against using excessive pesticides on tomato fruits which may be harmful to consumers.
Speaking to the press in Naivasha town, agricultural extension officer Teresia Karanja observed that pesticide residue left on tomatoes fruits can affect consumers which may cause disease or cause a loss of market for the produce.
Karanja asked farmers to spray their tomatoes with the stipulated amount of pesticides to curb cases of poisoning consumers.
“We want to urge tomato farmers and others to follow instructions on using pesticides. Farmers should use the right amounts of pesticides on their crops to make their produce competitive,” she said.
The official also urged farmers to use chemicals and farm inputs that have been approved by government agencies.
She said that some individuals and companies have invaded the market with fake farm inputs which have caused poor agricultural production.