Proceedings of the Asia regional workshop on the

PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT IN NEPAL: In view <strong>of</strong> Code <strong>of</strong> Conduct
Abstract
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NEPAL
by Bhakta R. Palikhe
All pesticides must be registered before <strong>the</strong>y are manufactured, formulated, distributed,
sold, put on <strong>the</strong> market or delivered, and also before <strong>the</strong>y are packed. International Code <strong>of</strong>
Conduct on <strong>the</strong> distribution and use <strong>of</strong> pesticides points out <strong>the</strong> objectives are to set forth
responsibilities and establish voluntary standards <strong>of</strong> conduct for all public and private entities
engaged in or affecting <strong>the</strong> distribution and use <strong>of</strong> pesticides, particularly where <strong>the</strong>re is no or an
inadequate national law to regulate pesticides In Nepal problems include pollution generated
during improper handling, storage, transport and accidents and environmental contamination
due to unsound disposal methods, <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> such problem is usually associated with <strong>the</strong> use
and misuse <strong>of</strong> pesticides in <strong>the</strong> agricultural sector. Pesticide use in Nepal is however a dynamic
situation and new challenges are always <strong>the</strong>re to be met. Pest resistance to chemical pesticide is
major problem in Nepal as well and is increasing. Like many developing countries, analysis <strong>of</strong>
pesticide residue in crops food products, soil and water and <strong>the</strong> environmental effects <strong>of</strong>
pesticides have not been systematically studied and monitored in Nepal. There is on going need
for farmer education and development <strong>of</strong> safety culture in pesticide use and introduction <strong>of</strong> safer
and more specific pesticides as well as development and use <strong>of</strong> bio-pesticides must be considered
as a concurrent rational approach. The Government felt <strong>the</strong> need to have an institution totally
devoted for propagating <strong>the</strong> philosophy and use <strong>of</strong> Integrated Pest Management in agriculture.
Many individual accidental cases arrive at hospital or health care centers/facilities with varying
degree <strong>of</strong> severity. Government confronts numerous constraints in terms <strong>of</strong> a lack <strong>of</strong> qualified
and trained personnel and technical capacities in pesticide management. These areas need to be
substantially streng<strong>the</strong>ned for <strong>the</strong> government to be able to undertake its mandate to implement
effective regulation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> production, importation, distribution and safe use <strong>of</strong> pesticides.
Overall, efficiency improvements in pesticide management are extremely important, given that
pesticide use has been steadily increasing annually. Pesticide exporting countries are obligated
under <strong>the</strong> provisions <strong>of</strong> code <strong>of</strong> conduct to follow guidelines, standards and recommendations for
pesticide management.
Introduction
Nepal is predominantly an agricultural country. The economic scenario <strong>of</strong> Nepal is
dominated primarily by <strong>the</strong> agriculture sector. In Nepal <strong>the</strong> diverse agro-climatic conditions
necessitate different approaches to cultivation and crop protection; crop losses during post-harvest
phase are quite high.
Nepal passed <strong>the</strong> first Pesticide Act in 1991, which is considerably later than o<strong>the</strong>r South
<strong>Asia</strong>n countries (SAC). The purpose <strong>of</strong> legislation on <strong>the</strong> formulation, importation and use <strong>of</strong>
pesticides is to enable <strong>the</strong> society to obtain <strong>the</strong> benefits from <strong>the</strong>ir use with minimal adverse effects to
humans and o<strong>the</strong>r non-target organisms.
The Pesticide Rules were approved in January 1993. The Act and <strong>the</strong> Rules were ga<strong>the</strong>red to
become operative on 16 July 1994. The Act regulates <strong>the</strong> import, manufacture, sales, distribution and