Integrated Production, Pest and Pollution Management-Project document
The project is focused on the two principal river basins in the West African sub-region, the Niger and Senegal River Basins, and addresses riverine contamination issues related mostly to irrigated-farming activities. Trends in all six countries are towards increased use and dependence on agro-chemicals, which has, ironically, contributed to declining long-term agricultural productivity, environmental quality and human well-being, through toxic contamination of food-chains and disruption of ecosystem services, such as natural pest suppression and pollination. Explosive outbreaks of pest problems are often triggered by insecticide use (insecticide-induced pest resurgence). Other negative trends include decreasing soil fertility, contamination of waterways, detrimental shifts in aquatic ecosystems, and overall degradation of human and environmental health. The social and economic drivers leading to current unsustainable agricultural practices include a lack of awareness among communities regarding both the impacts and negative externalities associated with pesticide use, as well as a lack of awareness of feasible, sustainable and more profitable alternatives.
Integrated Production, Pest and Pollution Management-Project document.pdf
