Training Chinese farmers in safe and effective pesticide use

As part of its ongoing stewardshipDescription The responsible and ethical management of a crop protection product in a way that takes full and balanced account of the interests of users, future generations, and other species. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www.croplife.org/ CropLife International is a global federation representing the plant science industry and a network of regional and national associations in 91 countries. These organisations are committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. efforts, a leading producer of paraquat is helping Chinese farmers improve the quality of their inputs, increase their income, reduce pesticide residues, protect the environment, and benefit rural society.

Continuing a successful five-year collaboration with NATESC (National Agriculture Technology Extension and Service Centre, MOA) in May 2006, a new safe use training program was conducted in the Laizhou, Shandong Province of China. The overall program includes 36 safe use training sessions and one rural doctor training session.

The safe use training targeted key farmers, retailers and grass-root extension workers in the area, and more than 50 local farmers participated in the first training session. Safe use materials, including face shield, apron and lockable storage boxes, were distributed to all participants.

The training was a great success.

“I’ve never joined a training like this! It is so interesting, and I really learned a lot from it”, said Shi Junling, one of the farmers that joined the training. He added, ”I’m also very thankful to get a high-quality sprayer as well as a storage box - it even has a lock on it!”

After the training one village leader said, “I will tell my neighbors of what I’ve learned today, and hope you can come to my village and give another training like this.”

According to Mr. Shao Zhenrun, the director of NATESC, MOA, the training will set a good example for the whole industry in China and “will diminish pesticide contamination and residue in agricultural produces and push further the development of non-hazardous production in rural China.”

The Laizhou Farmer Safe Use training program is just one example of the many stewardship, education programs and training programs that have been sponsored by manufacturers of paraquat to promote the safe and effective use of pesticides. More information about these efforts is available here.