Tanzanian risk reduction 
Regulators seek stakeholder support

Faced with rising pesticide use, and lack of resources, a concerted effort to involve stakeholders in a pesticide risk reduction programme must be the way ahead, argues Alcheraus Rwazo of the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute which regulates pesticides. 

The economy of Tanzania depends mainly on agriculture, which contributes over 55% of its Gross Domestic Product. Approximately 80% of the labour force is engaged in small and large scale farming for cash and food crops. The main cash crops include cotton, coffee, tobacco, tea and cashewnuts - while maize, rice, wheat and beans are the major food crops.
    The government has encouraged farmers to increase production, mainly for food security. Although pesticide use has increased, information on quantities used is scanty and fragmented, but based on the import data it is substantial for cotton, coffee and cashewnuts and increasingly for flower production(1). Pesticides are also used for veterinary and public health purposes. 
    However, pesticide use in Tanzania is associated with health and environmental risks. For example, obsolete and other unwanted pesticides are a serious problem and poisoning cases are common. The pesticide risk reduction programmes need to be strengthened, and receive further support.

Risk reduction measures
Enforcing pesticide laws
In the face of difficult conditions, the 'life cycle' of a pesticide, from import to disposal, is regulated by the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI) under the TPRI Act (1979) and Pesticides Control Regulation (1984). To register a pesticide, companies must submit technical information on the effectiveness and hazards of the product. Highly toxic or environmentally persistent products are restricted, and should only be imported for specific use by well-trained personnel. Other risk reduction measures include regular monitoring (spot-check and routine inspection) of retailers, distributors, fumigators and manufacturers, and quality verification of products. But enforcement is limited by lack of resources, and unregistered, unlabelled, expired, substandard and repacked pesticides are available(2). 

Training is essential
TPRI organises courses on pesticide use and handling at least twice a year. Participants are briefed on risk reduction, elementary toxicology, proper handling, disposal of unwanted pesticides and labelling, as well as national laws and the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides. Target groups are retailers, fumigators and end users. Since 1992, about 15 training courses have been held with participants from Tanzania (122), Malawi (2), Botswana (1), Denmark (2) and Zambia (1). TPRI has run about 10 tailor-made courses since 1995, involving around 130 participants.
The Agrochemical Association of Tanzania (AAT), whose members include distributors, retailers, crop buyers and seed distributors, has conducted training on handling and use of pesticides through the Global Crop Protection Federation (GCPF, now CropLife International). In 1995, AAT, GCPF and Plant Protection Improvement Programme of Sweden sponsored a project to train trainers in Northern Tanzania, who in turn trained farmers, and about 100,000 small-scale coffee farmers had been trained by the end of 2000(3). 

Creating awareness
Lack of awareness during handling and use is a key problem(4). The proposed National Action Plan on Chemicals Management considers this an immediate priority but funding is limited. TPRI has held seminars for customs officials to complement regulatory measures and other government institutions with responsibility for environment and agriculture also raise awareness(5). Trade union organisations have held workshops, seminars and exhibitions for workers.

International programmes
Tanzania participates in international pesticide programmes. To implement the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure, it has nominated one Designated National Authority for pesticides and one for industrial and other consumer chemicals. Initial steps have been taken to reach a decision on pesticides in the PIC list. Tanzania participated fully in developing the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Convention. 

Encouraging uptake of IPM
Tanzania has been implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies since 1992 with support of the German government. A project in the Shinyanga region focused on pests and diseases in maize, cotton and sweet potatoes, and later expanded to the Western Cotton Growing Area. Similar activities have been initiated in the North. Programmes encourage biological control, cultural practice and reduced use of synthetic pesticides. In the northern zone biological controls have been released to control larger grain borer, and neem spray has reduced insect attacks in Chinese cabbage. IPM approaches have substantially reduced pesticide application in tomatoes and coffee. Traditional pest control practices, such as the use of cow urine or cow dung slurry mixed with chillies, could be studied to help farmers make good use of these practices. 

Multi-stakeholder approach
The government is keen to adopt an Integrated National Chemicals Management system(6). A National Coordinating Team for Sound Management of Chemicals was constituted in 1996, with members drawn from the Chief Government Chemist Laboratory Agency (Ministry of Health), National Environment Management Council, University of Dar Es Salaam and TPRI. The National Steering Committee on Chemicals Management has members from ministries, government departments/agencies, public interest groups, private sector and academia. Activities include preparation of the National Profile, risk management decision-making for priority chemicals, particularly endosulfan, and an inventory of POPs. 

The next steps
Pesticides risk reduction in Tanzania is still in its infancy. Risk reduction programmes and multi-stakeholder approaches are needed in developing countries. A competent institution must be established and backed to coordinate risk reduction programmes. Awareness-raising activities need to be improved through use of radio/TV, print media and good communication materials. Accessible information sources and poison information centres must be established. Capacity building activities, increased human resources and appropriate infrastructure are essential. 

References
1. M P Macha and A J M Rwazo, Pesticides Exposure and Hazards at work places in Tanzania, Proceedings of the 15th Annual Scientific Conference of the Tanzania Public Health Association, 11-15 November 1996, pp 36-39.
2. TPRI Annual Reports 1992-1994 (unpublished).
3. AAT Report on the Agricultural Stakeholders Meeting, Dar Es Salaam, 29 November 2000.
4. Anon, Report on the Tanzania National Priority Setting Workshop on chemicals management and safety, Kilimanjaro Hotel, 15-17 September, 1997.
5. J Katima and E Masanja (Eds), United Republic of Tanzania: National Profile: National infrastructure for management of chemicals, version 1, August 1997.
6. J Katima and E Masanja (Eds), Tanzania: National Action Plan for Chemicals Management, August 1999. 

Alcheraus J M Rwazo is Senior Scientific Officer at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, P O Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 53, September 2001, page 8]