and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

464 PE-S'IICLDE M,.NAGIYFL\ AND IIM INSOUTHEAST ASIA
dealers generally have on these subjects, FPA camne up with the Agropesticide
Dealers Training Program. This is a one-day activity with resource persons and
trainers from FPA and the Core of National Instructors who had previously
undergone training in a course entitled "Training Course Development for
Agropesticide Dealers" held during 9-20 June 1980. Here, emphasis is on the
efficient use and safe handling, storage, transport and disposal of pesticides
(Appendix II). FPA requires attendance of qhis training before a dealership
license is issued. To date, 5897 persons have been trained for dealership.
TRAINING OF FARM TECHINICIANS
The objective of this training program is to instill awareness in technicians
of tile hazards posed by pesticide use and to promote consciousness in the
efficient use and safe handling of pesticides. The technicians, in turn, have direct
responsibilities for training farmers on the subject as part of their extension
work. So far 11,497 farm technicians have been trained.
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR CERTIFIED PESTICIDE
APPLICATORS AND FUMIGATORS
The program was instituted to generate awareness of the inherent risks
associated with misuse of pesticides. It was designed to update technical
knowledge and professional standards in pest extermination and fumigation. As
of October 1986, FPA has accredited 932 pesticide applicators and fumigators.
The importance of training handlers on the proper use and safe handling of
pesticides cannot be overemphasized. One may view the magnitude of the
problems associated with the formulation and implementation of' training
programs by taking note of the following factors or situations prevalent under
Philippines conditions:
* the quantity of pesticides used to control pests in the major economic
crops (rice, corn, vegetables) and the important export crops (bananas,
mangoes, pineapples) has increased over the years (Appendix II),
* of the 402 registered products, the top 28 products representi,,, 95% of
th6 insecticides used in 1984 are classified under Toxicity Categories I
and II of the World Health Organization Classification,
training by private indusLry is confined to launching new products or
selling the benefits of existing products. Training of applicators at the
farm level isalmost nonexistent, and
* shortage of budget and adequately trained staff, and reorganization
problems have reduced to the minimum the capabilities of government
agencies concerned in terms of applicator training and safe use on a
mass scaie.
These are but a few of the factors which FPA and other concerned
goverament agencies have to address to effectively formulate and implement
training programs on the safe use of pesticides in an effort to be responsive to
the critical challenges of ensuring the health and safety of pesticide handlers as
well as the protection of the environment.