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

Growing global concern about the impact of increased use of agricultural
chemicals, especially in developing countries, has raised questions about the
extent and nature of the adverse effects of pesticides on farmers, consumers,
and the environment. The need for more comprehensive information on the
status of public-health and safety-related aspects of pesticide research has
been reinforced by the recognition of the importance of regional collaboration
to address pesticide problems common to the agricultural activities of these
three countries.
Profile of pesticide use
In Malaysia, over 3000 retail outlets are currently involved in the manufacture,
formulation, and packaging of pesticides. In 1980, sales of pesticides
amounted to 65 million USD. The continued demand for pesticides in Malaysian
agriculture is evident from the increasing sales of agricultural chemicals.
Sales of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides increased from
95 million USD in 1984 to nearly 120 million USD in 1988 (MACA 1989).
Herbicides account for nearly 80% of these sales in Malaysia; insecticides,
about 15%; and rodenticides, nematicides, and others, 5% (MACA 1989).
Herbicides are used mainly on plantation crops, such as rubber, oil palm, and
cocoa; the common ones are paraquat, glyphosate, 2,4-D (2,4-dichiorophenoxyacetic
acid), diuron, MSMA (methylarsonic acid), picloram, and dalapon.
Insecticides may also be required for disease control on rubber plantations,
and fungicide and insecticide treatments are often used on cocoa plantations.
Pesticides are also employed on a wide range of other agricultural crops, such
as vegetables, rice, fruit, and tobacco.
Pesticide consumption in the Philippines, based on sales value of total
imports, increased steadily from 1983 to 1987 (Table 1). Crops receiving the
highest proportion of pesticides (based on value) in 1984 were rice (36.6%),
bananas (25.5%), and vegetables (14.3%). Insecticides were used on most
crops, except bananas and pineapples, where more fungicides were used.
Table 1. Pesticide sales values in the Philippines, based on total imports
(IJSD '000 cost including freight).
Type 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987
Insecticides 16 196 14077 12 151 16 379 23270
Herbicides 3 637 4562 4016 6 042 7 139
Fungicides 9 058 11 528 7 953 9 691 10589
Others 7391 5230 6733 8331 11466
Total 36 282 35 397 30 853 40 443 52464
Source: Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, Philippines.
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