Assessing the legal mechanisms for promoting sustainable pesticide use in the agriculture sector in Uganda

Abstract

Pesticides are chemicals used to kill or control insects, weeds, fungi, rodents and microbes. Farmers mainly use pesticides to protect plants and animals against pests and diseases, boost agricultural productivity and preserve produce. In Uganda, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has the overall mandate over pesticide regulation in the agriculture sector. The Ministry executes this mandate through its directorates and agencies, and specifically the Agricultural Chemical Board. The Agricultural Chemicals (Control) Act of 2006, and the Control of Agricultural Chemicals (Registration and Control) Regulations SI 29-1 are the governing laws with standards for manufacture, storage, distribution and trade in, importation and exportation, use, and disposal of pesticides. There has however, been notable limited implementation and compliance with the standards and consequently unsafe pesticide use practices countrywide. The study assessed the existing legal mechanisms for sustainable pesticide use in the agriculture sector in Uganda. A mixed method of research was used. The qualitative involving in-depth interviews, library and desk research was used for collection of non-numerical data, and quantitative method for the numerical data. The study established that Uganda has numerous laws regulating pesticides and these are buttressed by international and regional instruments. The country is however, faced with challenges of regulatory implementation and compliance; there are outdated regulations; inadequate penalties are prescribed under the laws; no provision for formal training of pesticide retailers; lack of a specific policy framework on pesticides; no policy on promotion of alternative or non-chemical techniques to pesticides; the ILO conventions on safety and health in Agriculture, and Labour Inspection in Agriculture are yet to be ratified; limited human and financial resources; limited awareness of laws; and limited stakeholder coordination. The study proposed development of a specific pesticide policy with coordinated and interactive value chain actors; legislative amendment to have adequate laws; development of new regulations and sector guidelines; legislate for alternative techniques to pesticide; ratify key ILO conventions on safety and health in Agriculture, and Labour Inspection in Agriculture; provide adequate funding for regulatory enforcement; awareness raising and stakeholder training. Adopting these recommendations will contribute to sustainable pesticide use in the agriculture sector.