Don: avoid synthetic chemicals in pest, food control
A Professor of Medical and Applied Entomology at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology(LASUSTECH), Abiodun Denloye, has cautioned against the use of synthetic chemicals in pest control, and
- LASUSTECH holds maiden inaugural lecture
A Professor of Medical and Applied Entomology at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology(LASUSTECH), Abiodun Denloye, has cautioned against the use of synthetic chemicals in pest control, and preservation of grains. He stressed that natural products were ideal to protect grains and control insects.
Prof. Denloye delivered the maiden inaugural lecture of LASUSTECH on Tuesday on its Ikorodu campus.
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He cited the example of using dried pepper to preserve beans, adding that such plant materials should be used in food preservation. He called on the government to create awareness regarding that, noting that his research on unorthodox insecticidal preparation (otapiapia) indicated that it was unhealthy to use chemical to preserve food crops against insect activities.
The don also explained that a major way of keeping insect-vectored diseases under control is by breaking the cycle of transmission. He said this could be achieved by putting the insects’ population in check.
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Denloye said though, there is a need to focus more on beneficial insects in medical, veterinary and public health, there are still insects that transmit zoonotic diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, haemorrhagic fever, among others.
He therefore emphasised the need for universities to create a “Centre for Zoonotic Entomology.
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“This proposed centre would zero-in on the insects serving as vehicles for the transmission of thepathogens of the diseases and how best to manage or control them in line with one-health paradigm in mind. Cognate researchers especially Microbiologists, Botanists, Biochemists, Chemists etc would have big roles in this cross-cutting centre. This can start with having a laboratory dedicated for research on Zoonotic Entomology probably in our upcoming Central Research Laboratory. Besides the academic enterprise, the centre will also explore means of generating Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the university,” he said.
The don urged the university to prioritise sound environmental health management which would involve the control of insect vectors through sustainable control measures.
He also called for the establishment of environmental-health unit under the Directorate of Health Services.
“I have found the university compound and termite infestation are 5 & 6 that are seemingly inseparable. Evidence is seen on the Teak (Tectonia grandis) and other trees all over the main campus of the university. This is one of the effects of long time cropping of the land and leaving crop wastes after harvesting. Now most of the trees are at risk of dying. I hereby recommend the immediate launch of focused attack against these infestation,” he added.
