Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) Registered and Their Use in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

To sustain agricultural production, pesticides are highly recommanded. In sub-Saharan Africa, two regulatory bodies are in charge of pesticide registration, for more than 10 years of duty, the impact of their activity has not yet best carried out. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the evolution in the quality of pesticides in agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Registration of pesticides began in Cameroon in 1996. There, less than 5% of pesticides used in 2004 were registered and more than 80% of producers were not aware of this legal process. In 2014, 85% of pesticides used are registered. In sub-Saharan Africa, Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) registered are rondenticides, insecticides and nematocides. They are frequently used for the protection of stored products. Ilicit Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (heptachlore, chlorobenzene) and HHP (alluminium phosphide, terbufos, abamectine, ethropophos, etc.) are frequently used to protect stored grains. And 40% are registered for use in intensive bananas production (28% for nematodes control alone and 10% for control of both insects and nematodes). Moreover, 20% of HHPs registered are for the control of rondents.