A lecturer at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) is urging farmers to adopt natural pest control methods, highlighting rabbit urine and neem extract as effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides.
Dr Lloyd Larbi, a Pest and Vector Control specialist, said growing evidence of the harmful effects of chemical pesticides on human health and ecosystems makes organic solutions increasingly necessary.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of the launch of the 2026 Community Development Challenge in Somanya, Dr Larbi warned that some synthetic agrochemicals have been linked to cancer, neurological damage and birth defects.
“Research has revealed that these synthetic chemicals can be carcinogenic, while some are also neurotoxic,” he noted, adding that such products can also destroy beneficial insects and plants, disrupting natural ecosystems.
He encouraged farmers to prioritise organic farming approaches that rely on natural processes and avoid synthetic fertilisers and chemicals. According to him, neem extract — derived from the neem tree — is particularly effective in controlling pests that attack vegetables and other crops.
Dr Larbi also pointed to rabbit urine as a potent organic pesticide, advising rabbit farmers to collect and store it for agricultural use. He explained that, unlike synthetic chemicals which can persist in the environment for years and enter the food chain, organic substances break down more quickly and pose fewer long-term risks.
For enhanced effectiveness, he suggested that farmers could apply rabbit urine directly to crops or mix it with garlic and pepper to create a stronger pest-control solution.
His call adds to growing advocacy for sustainable agricultural practices aimed at protecting both public health and the environment.
