Ekiti State Government has emphasised the need to embark on biological control to avoid ingestion of toxic substances from plants through application of pesticides.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Oludare Abegunde, biological control will eliminate the possibility of ingesting toxins associated with chemical-based controlled system.
He spoke at a workshop on Biosafety and Biological Risk Management organised by the National Directorate of Employment in Ado Ekiti for livestock farmers on Thursday.
At least 18 people have died in Ode Irele, a town in Ondo State, from a “mystery disease” the World Health Organisation suspected may be weed killer.
The victims died within a day or so of exhibiting symptoms of headaches, blurry vision, and loss of consciousness.
Abegunde said the State Government had retained the Ebola medical team to confront the spread of the disease or any strange illness in Ekiti.
“The government rose to the challenge, we don’t have anything to fear. Immediately the news broke, the governor went on air to tell the people to report strange signs in hospitals,” he added.
