and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

PESTICIDE PROBLEMS AND INDONESIAN
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
ACTIVITIES
IN SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS
E. S.Widjanarka
Peslicide Action Network (PAN) Indonesia
Jalan Anggrek Garuda D4160, Jakarta 11480, Indonesia
The word "pesticide" actually has two meanings inagriculture: the first as a
miracle to save people from hunger, and the second as a destroyer of human
beings and the environment.
We will not discuss the advantages of pesticides here as the manufacturers
have already promoted these commodities with very persuasive words, such as
pesticides being instant insect killers, and being guarantees for a higher yield.
Some people have claimed that the negative impact cf using pesticides are the
health and environmental risks associated with them. In my opinion, the
following factors are important in considering pesticide use in Indonesia:
1. Lack of information in the community, especialiy about the dangers
associated with pesticides. So far the community at large does not
appreciate the threat to people and ecology from indiscriminate pesticide use.
2. Misleading pesticide advertisements which increase farmers' expectations of
their capability, which often (toes not match reality. This leads to a lot of
misunderstandings and false perceptions about the functions of pesticides.
3. There arc too many trademarks and typcs of pesticides on the market, all of
which have their own specifications. This gives the general community an
impression that pesticides are similar to medicine. It also explains why
many farmers use a mixture of two or three types of pesticides in one
sprayer tank.
4. The attractive pesticide containers tempt farmers to use them as food
containers or water cans.
5. Since the conditions under which pesticides are sold are not well defined,
almost anybody can sell pesticides. Furthermore, the safety standards of
pesticide storage and transportation are not properly observed, resulting in
the contamination of other materials.
6. The sale of pesticides in smaller packages and at low prices in retail shops
presents another set of problems. The repackaging commonly does not
reach the same standards as the original and some are even sold without
labels.
7. Farmers' knowledge of the techniques for the safe use of pesticides is
generally low. It is also common that because of high temperatures in the
tropics, simple protective materiais are not used. Oftentimes, either farmers