Pesticide Utilisation, Regulation and Future Prospects in Small Scale Horticultural Crop Production Systems in a Developing Country

Abstract

Uganda has a largely agrarian based economy with 85% of its nearly 35 million people living in rural areas and 80% of its labor force engaged in agricultural production as their primary form of livelihood. The agriculture sector also accounts for 40 percent of GDP and 85% of export earnings with 90% of this being generated by crop production. Horticultural production is one of the fastest growing agricultural sub-sectors with a growth rate of 20% per year. It contributes to value addition, income diversification and foreign exchange earnings through exports (UIA, 1999). Horticultural production in Uganda is dominated by small scale producers (2ha. or less) who produce for both local and export markets. The most important horticultural crops in the vegetable category include tomato, green beans, cowpea, pepper, onion, crucifers, and Amaranthas spp. Because of ravages of pests and diseases on these moderate to high value crops, pesticides are among the key inputs on these crops. The increased use of chemical pesticides on horticultural crops has raised a number of economic, ecological and health concerns. Economic concerns arise from the over reliance and use of chemical pesticides which increase the costs of production. Indiscriminate use of pesticides has resulted in ecological problems of common pests developing resistance, elimination of natural enemies and other beneficial arthropods, and environmental pollution. Human health concerns focus on risks from shortcomings in protective clothing, large deviations from recommended doses/situations, and excessive run-off into the soil and water sources. These concerns are exacerbated by poorly regulated internal markets for pesticides that have fostered usage of banned or outdated products; creating a situation that if not stopped will negatively impact on horticultural exports to countries with more stringent regulatory requirements for fresh crop produce. Meeting these food safety requirements has become a major challenge for the fresh produce export sector of many African countries. To ensure and maintain export compliance, grower and consumer safety, and environmental integrity; farmers, government and development partners are developing programmes designed to improve pesticides usage, regulation and management on horticultural crops. In this chapter, three important horticultural crops grown in Uganda-