The Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) has raised serious concerns over reports that some farmers are using cement powder to store and preserve cowpea (beans) from pests.

The Institute has described the practice as unsafe and unscientific, warning that it poses significant health risks to consumers and threatens efforts to improve food safety and post-harvest storage in Ghana.

In a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency, the Director of CSIR-CRI, Professor Maxwell Darko Asante, said the Institute had taken note of a viral video circulating on social media that appeared to show cement powder being used to preserve cowpea grains against storage pests.

He said the Institute strongly condemns the practice and urged farmers, traders, and consumers to refrain from adopting it.

According to the statement, the video contains misleading and inaccurate information that could deceive the public and potentially cause harm, especially to vulnerable groups.

“Cement is not a food-grade substance and is not approved for use in food or grain preservation under any circumstance,” the statement emphasised.

The Institute also reminded the public that not all information shared on social media is reliable and urged Ghanaians to verify agricultural information with credible institutions before adopting or sharing it.

CSIR-CRI advised farmers to consult the nearest extension officer from the Extension Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture or contact the Institute directly to confirm the accuracy of any agricultural practice before implementation.

The Institute reiterated its commitment to promoting safe, evidence-based, and internationally accepted post-harvest handling practices.

While condemning the use of cement in grain storage, CSIR-CRI also encouraged stakeholders to adopt scientifically validated and safe methods that can improve cowpea quality, enhance food safety, and increase farmers’ profitability.

Among the recommended practices is ensuring that cowpea grains are properly dried to safe moisture levels of about 12 to 13 percent before storage.

The Institute also advised farmers to adopt hermetic storage technologies, including the use of airtight storage solutions such as Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags or other hermetic containers, which are particularly suitable for smallholder farmers.

In addition, farmers were encouraged to use approved grain protectants, maintain clean storage facilities, and adopt integrated pest management strategies.

CSIR-CRI further recommended the use of botanical protectants, which are locally validated traditional practices with minimal chemical residue risks. These include neem seed powder, neem oil extracts, and wood ash.

The Institute also highlighted the use of diatomaceous earth, a non-toxic powder made from fossilised algae, which can be mixed with cowpea grains to help control storage pests safely.