Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T11:49:35.464Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An investigation into pesticide imports, distribution and use in Zambia with special emphasis on the role of multinational companies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Tanya Abrahamse  and
Angela M. Brunt
Tanya Abrahamse
Affiliation:
Life Sciences, Science Division, Polytechnic of Central London, 115 New Cavendish St., London W1M 8JS, England
Angela M. Brunt
Affiliation:
Life Sciences, Science Division, Polytechnic of Central London, 115 New Cavendish St., London W1M 8JS, England
Get access

Abstract

This study investigated Zambian importation, distribution and use of agricultural pesticides.

Data was collected by interviews, questionnaires and direct observation at international, national, warehouse and user levels. A wide range of pesticides is available. Imports and distribution are controlled by a few multinational companies (MNC's). No government control exists on types or amounts imported, and on distribution, packaging or labelling. Safety information is virtually non-existent. Some Zambianused pesticides are under restriction in the West. The total amount used seems to be increasing. Harmful health effects have been observed. The number of involved MNC's appears to be increasing.

The largest amount of imported pesticides is used by government in large scale medical and agricultural control schemes. In agriculture, large-scale farmers use most pesticides, but small-scale farmers are now beginning to use greater amounts and more types.

Most MNC's see this latter sector as a large future market. Most farmers get pesticide information only from MNC's. By comparison, the Extension Service is inadequate. Consequently, the authors suggest that the following are needed: A broad based Zambian advisory committee on pesticides; government legislation of importation, distribution, packaging, labelling and safety; and Extension Service expansion.

Keywords

Pesticidesmultinational companiesZambia
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 5 , Special Issue 3: Perception and Management of Pests and Pesticides , June 1984 , pp. 157 - 173
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Banage, W. B. (1978) An outline of the pesticide situation in Zambia. Unpublished paper. University of Zambia.Google Scholar
Borrell, J. (1980) Zambia launches 10 year plan to end food imports. The Guardian 24/5/1980.Google Scholar
Brooks, G. T. (1974) Chlorinated Insecticides. Vol. I: Technology and Application. CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio.Google Scholar
Chandler, M. T. (1976) Reducing pesticide hazards to honey bees in Tropical East Africa. PANS 22, 35–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
COPR (1978) Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops, PANS Manual No. 4. COPR, London.Google Scholar
COPR (1975) Pest Control in Groundnuts, PANS Manual No. 2. COPR, London.Google Scholar
Dinham, B. and Hines, C. (1983) Agribusiness in Africa. Earth Resources Research, London.Google Scholar
EPA (1980) Manual of Analytical Methods for the Analysis of Pesticides in Humans and Environmental Samples (Edited by Watts, R. R.). EPA, New York.Google Scholar
EPA (1981) Analytical Reference Standards and Supplemental Data for Pesticides and Other Organic Compounds (Edited by Watts, R. R.). EPA, New York.Google Scholar
Griffin, K. (1974) The Political Economy of Agrarian Change: An Essay on the Green Revolution. Macmillan, Oxford.Google Scholar
Longworth, T. J. (1976) New pesticide products. Farm. Zambia, Lusaka 40, 21–23.Google Scholar
Smith, R. F. (1979) U.S. beginning to act on banned pesticides. Science 204, 1391–1394.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
UNCTAD (1974) Annual Bulletin of Exports of Chemical Products. UNCTAD, Vienna.Google Scholar
UNCTAD (1978) Annual Bulletin of Exports of Chemical Products. UNCTAD, Vienna.Google Scholar
UNFAO (1975) Production Year Book. UNFAO, Rome.Google Scholar
Ware, G. W. (1975) Pesticides: An Autotutorial Approach. Freeman, London.Google Scholar
White-Stevens, R. (Ed.) (1971) Pesticides in the Environment, Vol. I, Parts 1 and 2. Marcel Dekker, New York.Google Scholar