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

designed 30-40 years ago (Jusoh Mamat et al. 1987). A high percentage of
sprayers owned by farmers in the "rice bowl" of Malaysia had serious faults
and exhibited a volume discharge efficiency of less than 75% (Anas et al. 1987).
These factors contribute to the problems arising from underdosing, incorrect
timing, and contamination of spray operators. Of the current application
techniques, only a few, such as trunk injection, granular application to the soil,
and pouring, dripping, and tea-bag techniques are relatively safe to use (Jusoh
Mamat et al. 1985; Ooi 1988). However, these safer techniques are situation
specific and not as versatile as conventional foliar spraying.
Protective clothing made of plastic or rubber material causes discomfort when
worn for more than 3 h under the hot, humid field conditions of the tropics
(Lee 1987; Jusoh Mamat and Anas 1988). Yet protective apparel is essential if
minimal exposure to sprayed pesticides is to be achieved, especially when
perennial crops taller than 150 cm are sprayed using ground applicators (Lee
1987). There is some interest in searching for a more suitable material for
protective clothing. To date, only two lightweight disposable materials have
been developed: Dupont Tyvek and Kimberley Clark Kleengard EP (Lee 1987).
The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI),
under the Ministry of Agriculture, conducts research on various pesticiderelated
problems in major agricultural ecosystems. In addition to studying
application technology and exposure of operators, MARDI research includes
investigation of environmental fate, effects, and bioefficacy. Recommendations
on pesticide use for pests and diseases of specific crop systems are also
made. Information and technology generated from the research are channeled
to the Department of Agriculture for dissemination to farmers.
Farmers and the general public pay little attention to the proper use of
pesticides, especially with regard to safety (Zain 1977; Zam 1980; Basri 1981;
Heong 1982; Normiya 1982; Ooi et al. 1983; Heonget al. 1987; Anon. 1990). As
a consequence of this apathy, reports of users suffering ill effects due to
improper use of pesticides are common (Dawson 1985; Umakanthan 1985;
Indrani 1988).
In August 1984, in response to these findings, the Malaysian Department of
Agriculture launched a nation-wide campaign to promote the safe use of
pesticides. The campaign had three main objectives (Esa and Ramasamy 1988):
To create awareness in the general public of the dangers associated with
the use of pesticides;
To educate consumers and end users about safety procedures for
handling pesticides; and
To inform the public about the 1974 Pesticide Act.
The campaign included lectures and talks, exhibitions, distribution of pamphlets
and posters, radio programs, and television screenings of documentary
films on the safe use of pesticides (Esa and Ramasamy 1988). To educate
37