Impact of - IDL-BNC @ IDRC - International Development Research ...

Improving safety in design and use
Because manufacturers are not likely to produce better models, it is suggested
that local government research institutions should accept this responsibility.
Research institutions should develop a new sprayer design and provide
blueprints, free of charge, to local manufacturers. Besides optimizing ergonomic
and safety features, the new design must also take into account the
production capability of the manufacturers and the availability of materials,
which together determine the unit price of the product. Good, imported
knapsack sprayers are available, but at a price double or triple that of locally
manufactured sprayers. The challenge is to produce a new knapsack sprayer
as good as the imported ones, if not better, at the same price as current local
models.
Good equipment will not improve pesticide-application technology among
small-scale farmers without training in its proper use and maintenance. A
critical step will be to encourage the establishment of sprayers' clinics within
existing farmers' cooperative centres. These clinics, besides selling approved
knapsack sprayers, storing spare parts, and providing repair services, must
also provide advice and training for farmers in the safe use of the sprayers.
Regulatory measures, such as setting local minimum standards for knapsack
sprayers and mandatory use of protective clothing during spraying operations
must also be considered. These measures are useless without effective
enforcement.
Conclusion
Regardless of future improvements in spraying techniques and technology,
there is much room for improvement in current conventional practices, especially
in tropical developing countries. Although the inefficiencies of conventional
foliar spraying are well recognized (Matthews 1983; Hislop 1988; Zeren
and Moser 1988), its versatility makes it attractive to small-scale farmers of the
Asian region. Any significant improvement in the current practice, be it in the
equipment itself, the technique of spraying, safety attire, or the attitude and
perception of the farmers, will, therefore, produce long-lasting benefits. The
advent of a revolutionary new application technique is less likely to replace
conventional spraying than to augment it in this part of the world.
Adam, A.V. 1976. The importance of pesticides in developing countries. In Gunn,
EL.; Steven, J.G.R., ed., Pesticides and human welfare. Oxford University Press,
Oxford, UK. Pp. 115-130.
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