Environmental and economic implications of agricultural trade and promotion policies in Uganda : pest and pesticide management

The impact of this action reform on the procurement, use, and management of pesticides is examined in this report, which discusses the factors affecting the demand for and the supply of pesticides (including government policies), the health and environmental effects of pesticide use, projected trends in pesticide use, and possibilities for reducing pesticide use. Generally, pesticide prices and use remain unchanged, although the restriction of imports has reduced supply. Inadequate regulatory and marketing systems, and inadequate access to information and technologies, which existed before the reforms, continue. Safety is also a concern, since several organochlorine pesticides, which have been banned or restricted in the United States, are in general use, with little care taken to employ protective clothing. Except for Japan, major donors are reluctant to fund the purchase of pesticides. It is expected that despite impressive government programs to improve agricultural productivity, pesticide management patterns will change little within the next 3-5 years. Short-term recommendations are to develop an information network to foster collaboration with donors and to improve the capacity of the Agricultural Secretariat to collect and analyze pesticide management data. Long-term recommendations (for the next 10-20 years) are to develop and disseminate alternative technologies, enforce pesticide regulations, and implement the National Environmental Action Plan. Includes 7-page bibliography.