Pesticides: use with care
The Govermnent of Dominica has adopted a vigilant stance on pesticide imports and usage in the country. A Pesticide Control Board is responsible for registering and licensing approved agrochemicals for import, while the Ministry of Agriculture has regular training courses for farmers on the use of pesticides and concurrently is developing a regular soil analysis programme to test from residues Dominica, in common with the majority of ACP countries, is dependent on agriculture both to feed its people and to generate foreign exchange through exports. Bananas remain the mainstay of the economy and it is recognized that there will be increasingly fierce competition for market share in the European Community following the liberalization of trade in 1992. To safeguard their future, Dominica's farmers are anxious to maintain volume and quality of banana production and simultaneously to develop a degree of diversification with new exports of a range of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Pesticides are acknowledged as being necessary if production and quality are to be stimulated and maintained but it is also recognized that great care must be exercised in their use. Dominica's terrain is steep, rainfall is high, and soils are volcanic - all factors that predispose susceptibility to rapid run-off and leaching with the potential risk of pollution of water resources. The area of greatest concern is the use of nematicides, which are used extensively on the still large banana acreage. To minimize risks, only approved agrochernical products may be licensed for import and their use is stipulated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Farmers' groups are encouraged to attend regular training courses, where they are instructed not only in mixing and application of chemicals but also in the need to wear proper protective clothing, safe storage of containers and the safe disposal of empty containers. In addition, a residue monitoring programme has been started using liquid gas chromathography equipment made available through FAO support. The analysis of soil samples is being expanded and high priority will be given to vegetable growing areas. Dominican farmers have been responsive to training and the majority are now aware both of the need for the high levels of quality demanded of export produce and of the role and safe use of pesticides in achieving optimum production. The abuse of chemicals (particularly over-dosing and mixing 'cocktails' of pesticides outside usage recommendations), which has been reported in some countries, is not a problem in Dominica. In summary, the aim in Dominica is to use pesticides economically and carefully so that there is minimum risk to users, consumers and to the environment. For more details, contact: Colin Bulley - Chief Technical Officer Ministry of Agriculture - Roseau Dominica
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| Format: | News Item biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
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Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
1989
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/44995 |
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