Agricultural Pesticide Use in Malawi
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Date
2018-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Health & Pollution
Abstract
Pesticides are substances used in
agriculture to increase crop yields
and improve the appearance of plant
products, as well as other uses.1
According to Langley and Mort,
pesticides are used in most homes,
businesses and farms to control
pests, including insects, weeds,
fungi, rodents, and even microbial
organisms.2
According to Lakudzala,
rapid agricultural development in
Malawi has led to an increased use of
pesticides.3
At least 2000 metric tons of
pesticides are used annually, 70%
of which are used for agriculture
(Figure 1).3
While pesticides are used to destroy
pests, reports show that some of the
pesticides are harmful to human health
and the environment. Several studies
support the assertion that pesticides
are the most common poisons used
throughout the tropics and are
associated with high mortality rates.1,4,5
Furthermore, a number of studies
have established the direct effect of
pesticides on health, but only a few
studies have reported on the indirect
relationship between pesticides and
health connecting pesticide use to
sicknesses. However, as noted by the
United Nations Special Rapporteur,
it is difficult to obtain reliable, global
statistics on the number of people who
suffer from pesticide exposure, hence
studies on pesticides statistics rely
mostly on estimates.6
Although the majority of pesticides
(80%) are used in high-income
countries, most cases of poisoning
occur in low-income countries.7
According to a report by the United
Nations, approximately 200,000 people
die worldwide annually from toxic
exposure to pesticides.6
Gunnell et
al. reported that most of the cases
of pesticide self-poisoning occur in
agricultural communities in low- and
middle-income countries.4 According
to Binns, Dixon and Nel, over 11
million cases of poisoning in Africa
each year can be attributed to exposure
to harmful pesticides.8 In sub-Saharan
Africa, pesticides are being used more
frequently by small farmers in an
unsustainable way.9
Approximately
62% of Malawi’s population depends
on agriculture as a means of livelihood,
and pesticide use is common.10 The
major crops grown in Malawi include
tobacco, sugarcane, coffee, maize,
beans, groundnuts, cotton, and tea.
Description
Keywords
Pesticide use, pesticides, health risk, integrated pest management, health, systematic literature review, Malawi