THE CHALLENGE OF PESTICIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR TROPICAL SMALLHOLDERS

Increased use of pesticides forecast for smallholder farmers in the tr opics, and pressure for the wider adoption of integrated pest,manageme nt (IPM) will make greater demands on the private and public sectors' ability to design and implement effective, farm-level education and tr aining programmes. Without implementing education and training program mes to support appropriate safe and effective use of pesticides, stand ards in pesticide use will not improve, and IPM will not become a real ity. This is recognized by the FAO and GIFAP. For greatest impact, edu cation and training priorities should be derived from base-line survey s of target smallholder populations, and programmes tailored to local circumstances. Simple multi-media education techniques should be integ rated with direct and indirect training schemes. Pesticide company lab els, on-pack leaflets, posters and training activities have an importa nt contribution to make. Programmes should be properly managed and app ropriately funded. More resources will be required for pesticide educa tion and training in the 1990s, from national and international funds. Collaborative private and public sector projects are required for gre atest impact, and should be actively sought by both sides.