Agricultural Pesticide Use in Malawi

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorJeketule Soko, Jacob
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-11T05:31:14Z
dc.date.available2019-01-11T05:31:14Z
dc.date.issued2018-12
dc.description.abstractPesticides 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.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12342/479
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherJournal of Health & Pollutionen_US
dc.subjectPesticide useen_US
dc.subjectpesticidesen_US
dc.subjecthealth risken_US
dc.subjectintegrated pest managementen_US
dc.subjecthealthen_US
dc.subjectsystematic literature reviewen_US
dc.subjectMalawien_US
dc.titleAgricultural Pesticide Use in Malawien_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Agricultural Pesticides Use in Malawi Soko JJ.pdf
Size:
1.39 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Agricultural Pesticide Use in Malawi
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
385 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Academic Staff