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McKenna Brunick

Mr. Phillips

AP Lang 3rd

06 December 2018

The Necessity of Regulation and Education about Pesticides in East Africa:

When asked to complete a task, instructions and examples are commonly given to

produce the best possible result. In the United States farming industry, there are strict guidelines

and standards that have been developed over time because of their proven success rate. Where

are these guidelines in East Africa? Nowhere to be found. Regulations, especially on pesticide

use, fail to exist in developing regions like East Africa. Pesticide use in agriculture dates as far

back as 5,000 years ago by the Sumerians (Cunningham & Cunningham 210). Wouldn't one

think that with all the advancements in agriculture, pesticides would be a thing of the past? Sadly

this is false; they are still readily used in modern farming today and continue to leave a hefty

ecological footprint on the world-- especially in developing regions, such as East Africa. The

abundance and misuse of pesticides in this region must be regulated or catastrophic

consequences will fall onto the people, economy, and environment of East Africa.

There is no denying that pesticides have damaging effects on the well-being of humans.

Annually, 200,000 fatalities occur due to pesticide exposure (Loha, eta al). The majority of these

deaths occur in developing regions and combined with malnutrition and inadequate sanitation

which is common in these regions, this number could increase. Death is not the only factor

pesticides pose for East Africans, acute and long-term exposure to pesticides are becoming

routine for the Africans, especially farmers. Both types of exposure result in symptoms including

headache, nausea, impaired vision, and damage to the nervous system (Loha, eta al). Exposure
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not only impairs the health of the citizens but also hinders their ability to continue working. It

may seem like those who are far from exposure by farms are not affected but that is false. The

reality is that pesticides, insecticides specifically, if used continuously can cause mutations in the

very thing they try to fend off the pests. Malaria vectors are increasingly becoming more

resistant and according to multiple environmentalists such as Haoues Alout, “It is expected to

jeopardize the successful malaria control” that has skyrocketed in the past 10 years (Vezilier et

al). As evident from above, one does not have to be directly exposed to pesticides to feel their

wrath.

Pesticides are raking in more than just lives, but considerable amounts of money too.

Between the years 2005-2020, the UN estimates that a $90 billon expense will result due to the

recurring illnesses caused by pesticides in Sub-Saharan Africa alone (“Pesticides could cost sub-

Saharan Africa $90bn in illness bill, UN warns”). Disease is not the only stressor placed on the

economy by pesticides, but the expenses of pesticides too. Increased debt and unsuccessful farms

have ensued due to the prices of pesticides. The disastrous cycle of purchasing pesticides and

losing money has forced farmers off their lands and into already heavily populated areas

(Cunningham & Cunningham 218). As previously mentioned, resistance has increased for

Malaria vectors, but recently an animal named the Armyworm has developed resistance too. This

animal feds on the crops of East Africa and has taken a liking to corn specifically (Parker). Corn

farming supports a large chunk of East Africa’s economy, and the threat of losing that crop is

becoming a reality for many farmers. Mohamud Abdu, an East African farmer, has lost at least

50% of his corn crop and frets for his food security (Parker). Abdu is not alone, upwards of 20%

of Sub-Saharan Africa’s corn production could be diminished if Armyworm is not contained

("An Army of Worms is Invading Africa."). The Economist Newspaper reports that multiple
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experts are worried that the continual use of these cheap pesticides will end up damaging all their

crop. These disturbances resulting from pesticide use are impinging on East Africa’s already

struggling economy. To provide for the populous region, African farmers must find new price

conscious, secure, and sustainable methods to deal with the significant amounts of insects

(Ngumbi).

Pesticides harmful environmental repercussions are brought up from time to time, but

the severity of these impacts are often extenuated. For example, POPs are becoming an

increasing problem in East Africa and the effects will be felt across the globe. Pesticides that

contain chlorinated hydrocarbons are considered persistent organic pollutants, or POP’s, due to

their ability to remain in the environment for a considerable amount of time. These chemicals

commonly find their way into the fatty tissue of living organisms and infect food chains. Once

the human food sources have been infected, risks of cancer, neurological damage, and weakened

immune systems spread. Along with killing animals and contaminating human food sources,

these chemicals relocate extremely fast and degrade soil and water quality in multiple areas.

Because of their corroding impacts, 127 countries have agreed to ban the use of POP’s, but

distribution is still common in developing countries, including throughout Africa (Cunningham

& Cunningham 213). Along with the use of POP’s, pesticide use, in general, has increased in

Africa. Environmentalist Rachel Massey predicts that Africa’s manufacture of chemicals will

increase by 40%, while North America’s and Europe’s manufacturing will only increase by 20%

between the years 2012-2020 (“Pesticides could cost sub-Saharan Africa $90bn in illness bill,

UN warns”). The amplified use of pesticides, according to Worldwatch Institution, has

contributed to 1,000 insects and 550 weeds mutating to become resistant organisms

(Cunningham & Cunningham 214). Although the short-term gains from pesticide use are
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appealing, long-term effects including the likelihood of resistance weakened workforce, and

environmental degradation far outweighs the benefits (Ngumbi).

The adverse consequences from pesticide use are strengthened by the lack of education

and regulation of these harmful chemicals in East Africa. In East Africa, the pesticides are

“broad-spectrum”, meaning they do not always reach the desired target, pest-resistance and

overexposure are only increasing because of the availability of “broad-spectrum” pesticides. In

consonance with author Stephanie Parker, multiple pesticides in Africa are mislabeled and often

more hazardous than advertised. This only increases the concentrations of highly toxic chemicals

in the environment (Parker). The loose management around pesticide creation and importing is

how mass quantities of mislabeled and expired chemicals enter East Africa. For example,

Ethiopia has increased its importing of pesticides over the past three years (Loha). As mentioned

previously, POPs are extremely dangerous to human and environmental health and can illegally

get placed in the hands of African farmers because government regulation is not effective

(Cunningham & Cunningham 213). Expired chemicals are also allowed in the region because

pesticide purchases are not strictly monitored. Outdated and no longer usable pesticides are

defined as obsolete pesticides, according to Science Direct. Obsolete pesticides require proper

disposal that is often expensive; without disposal, these chemicals leak into the environment

poisoning it (Loha). As reported by the International Trade Centre, improper disposal of obsolete

pesticides may result in soil and water pollution, which further limits the clean water sources and

suitable farming land available in East Africa (“Export Impact For Good”). In combination with

the lack of regulation, insufficient education of pesticide use and management contributes to the

growing problems. For instance, differing from the USA’s agricultural practices which distribute

precise amounts of pesticides to crops, Stephanie Parker reports that backpack sprayers are used
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in East Africa’s agriculture. These sprayers emit large quantities of “broad-spectrum” chemicals

onto fields of African crops, increasing harmful exposure and resistance rates (Parker). To

effectively improve the developmental status of regions like East Africa, regulation and

education of pesticides must increase or the people, economy, and environment will continue to

suffer.

Megan Sheahan and Christopher B. Barrett, along with many supporters of conventional

agricultural methods, argue that to increase food security and decrease large post-harvest losses

(PHL) in East Africa, the application of fertilizers and pesticides must be used. To these thinkers,

conventional agricultural methods will boost food security and rescue PHL more effectively

because crop management will be easier and more sustainable (Sheahan & Barrett). Contrary to

this belief, integrated pest management (IPM) results in the most sustainable production.

Integrated pest management entails utilizing naturally resistant crops, crop rotation, pheromone

traps, the proper amounts of pesticides, and bioremediation (Ngumbi). Once again, supporters of

heavy pesticide use debate that IPM techniques require“input intensive” methods that are “too

insufficient” to provide for large populations ( Cunningham & Cunningham 214). This had been

proven false in Indonesia. Successful IPM approaches have cut insecticide use in Indonesia down

by 50%, decreasing farmers expenses by more than 50%, and increasing their rice yield by 1.5

metric tons per hectare (Cunningham & Cunningham 215). Integrated pest management is

continuously supported by The UNEP executive director who argues that the destructive use of

chemicals “will hinder the progress towards key developmental targets” (Steiner). In order for

East Africa to continue to develop and begin to strive for economic success, changes must be

made on the topic of pesticides.

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It is clear multiple steps need to be taken to improve East Africa economically,

environmentally, and the overall health of East African citizens. Government regulation,

increased food security, and enhanced education about pesticides need to become major focuses

for East Africa’s government and farmers. Similar to learning a new sport, integrating

sustainable agricultural methods will take practice, there may be setbacks but eventually these

techniques will become second nature to East African farmers. To assist in the integration of

sustainable farming methods, research and developmental agencies are building a “handbook”

that includes instruction, tips, and proper agricultural techniques that will be available to farmers

worldwide (Ngumbi). It is possible, with the help from environmentalists, agriculture experts,

and help from developed nations, that East Africa can boost their economy, improve their

citizens health and mend their environment.

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Works Cited

"An Army of Worms is Invading Africa." Economist, Jan. 2018, pp. 48. SIRS Issues Researcher,

htpps://sks.sirs.com.

Cunningham, William P, and Mary A Cunningham. “Farming: Conventional and Sustainable

Practices.” Environmental Science A Global Issue , Fourteenth ed., McGraw-Hill

Education, 2017, pp. 198–222.

“Export Impact For Good.” ITC, 4AD, www.intracen.org/coffee-guide/quality-control-

issues/obsolete-pesticides---the-africa-stockpiles-programme/. Accessed 5 December

2018.

Loha, , et al. “Import, Disposal, and Health Impacts of Pesticides in the East African Rift(EAR)

Zone: A Review on Management and Policy Analysis.’ .” Science Direct , 28 June 2018,

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219418301698.

Ngumbi, Esther Ndumi. “Why African Farmers Should Balance Pesticides with Other Control

Methods.” The Conversation, The Conversation, 19 Sept. 2018,

theconversation.com/why-african-farmers-should-balance-pesticides-with-other-control-

methods-93289. Accessed 4 December 2018.

Parker, Stephanie. “MARCH OF THE ARMYWORM-- AND IT MIGHT SOON GO

GLOBAL.” Gale , 2018,

go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=rale84535&id=GALE|A543466219&v=2.1&it=r&

sid=GPS&asid=6cc965ce.

Press, Associated. “Pesticides Could Cost Sub-Saharan Africa $90bn in Illness Bill, UN Warns.”

The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 Sept. 2012,

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www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/sep/06/pesticides-hazardous-chemicals-un.

Accessed 5 December 2018.

Sheahan, Megan, and Christopher B Barrett. “Review: Food Loss and Waste in Sub-Saharan

Africa.” Science Direct , July 2017,

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919217302440.

Vezilier, Julian, and Nicot. “Insecticide Resistance and Malaria Transmission:: Infection Rate

and Oocyst Burden in Culex Pipiens Mosquitoes Infected with Plasmodium

Relictum.” PMC, NCBI, 31 Dec. 2010,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3313086/.