BEHEIRA, EGYPT: Some Egyptian farmers in the Nubariya region are using smuggled insecticides from Israel and China, many of which are internationally prohibited. “Some farmers are using the Altimk insecticide. China produces this insecticide and specifically exports it to Egypt. Altimk insecticide is internationally prohibited because of its negative effect on health,” said Mohamed Abdel Qader, Head of Egypt's Farmers Syndicate. Farmers in Nubarriya, in Beheira governorate, are using insecticides that were smuggled from Israel, said Abdel Qader. The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture is not aware of this insecticide. The Kafr el-Sheikh and Beheira governorates are also suffering from cotton worm, said Abdel Qader. The Agriculture Association and the directorates of agriculture have not provided farmers with the necessary insecticides. Mohamed Abdel Hakeem, chairman of the Cotton Research Institute, denies the accusation that the Ministry of Agriculture did not fight the cotton worm infestation. “The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture is providing agriculture associations with governmental insecticides that are not available in the market. Insecticides against cotton worm are available for 525,000 acres,” said Abdel Hakeem.
