Pesticide Action Network

At a workshop in Bangladesh

This year, we held workshops addressing farmers in Cambodia and Bangladesh.Our objective is to improve the agricultural environment and promote community- based self-sustainability of farming villages through the systematic monitoring of pesticides.

Both workshops enjoyed the attendanc e of about thirty participants, composed mainly of farmers and leaders of local agricultural organizations and others representing a wide range of fields, including health instructors, agricultural development and extension officers, national and local government officers in charge of environmental and health-related issues attended both workshops. We furthered our understanding of pesticide-inflicted impacts on health and the environment, integrated pest management and related policies and regulations, and then developed an action plan.

In Cambodia, NGO's and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Integrated Pest Management Group have joined hands to conduct monitoring programs across the country. In Bangladesh, it was acknowledged that agricultural and environmental offices and integrated pest management planning offices in local governments would cooperate with NGO's in promoting pesticide reduction and environmental conservation activities, and initiating programs in some villages to deviate from pesticide use. A training manual composed of four volumes to support community activities was made and translated into six Asian languages.

At a workshop in Cambodia

This is because agricultural, health-related and environmental issues cannot be tackled without the understanding and daily practice of those who actually use the pesticides. We hope to continue to provide, as many resources and technologies as possible to help local movements in various locations.