A national survey on the use of agricultural pesticides in Palestine

Abstract

This research study identifies the types and estimates the quantity of pesticides used in selected Palestinian districts. A survey of farmers (n = 126) was conducted in five districts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where pesticides are mostly used on irrigated land cultivated with vegetables. Data analysis of received questionnaires (87%) revealed a total number of 217 pesticides including 13 soil sterilizers, while 134 kinds with different active ingredients (insecticides 62; fungicides 45; herbicides 20) were applied in all districts. Based on the total irrigated land cultivated, the rate of pesticides per dunum reached 0.77 L in Gaza strip and 0.18 L in the West Bank districts. Contrary to earlier published data, our results support a trend of general decrease in the use of agricultural pesticides in the districts under study further to recent efforts encouraging pest management practice.

Keywords:

• Pesticides
• Health risk
• Environment
• Pest management

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by Italian Development Cooperation (Cooperazione Italiana allo Sviluppo) within the framework of the Palestinian National Environment Control Program. Special thanks are due to S. Sawalhi, J. Dadah, and B. Shaqoura for their support in the sampling campaigns. Any use of trade or industry names is for descriptive purposes and does not imply endorsement of particular products. Thanks also to the Editor, Dr Michael Brett-Crowther, for his constant encouragement.

Notes

*Source: Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) [16].

1. According to World Bank definition, West Bank and Gaza Strip are considered as Palestinian Occupied Territory (OPT), under the rule of the Palestinian Authority (PA).