Uganda Bans Nine Agricultural Chemicals Due to Health and Environmental Risks

Farmers in Uganda will no longer have access to nine specific agricultural chemical inputs, including certain pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has announced a nationwide ban on these products, citing serious risks to human health and the environment.

This decision follows a comprehensive review by the ministry’s experts, prompted by concerns raised by CropLife Africa Middle East and by emerging international scientific evidence. The banned ingredients include Alpha-cypermethrin and Chlorothalonil, known for polluting water sources and harming aquatic life and beneficial insects like bees. Others like Atrazine, Butachlor, and Carbofuran pose risks to groundwater and the broader environment, with potential links to reduced human fertility and toxicity to flora and fauna.

Dichlorvos has been identified as acutely toxic to the environment, while Dimethoate can cause reproductive disorders and harm pollinators. Diuron and Propanil are implicated in kidney failure and damage to the spleen and liver. These chemicals, while sometimes boosting crop yields, have been deemed too hazardous for continued use.

In addition to the outright bans, several other agro-chemicals have been placed under restricted use for specific crops. For example, Ametryn is now only permitted for weed control in sugarcane and pineapple, and Carbendazim is restricted to cashew nut cultivation. Chlorpyrifos is limited to controlling ants in anthills, and Fipronil is designated for termite control in building sites.

Imidacloprid is now exclusively available to seed companies for seed treatment. Indoxacarb’s use is confined to controlling specific pests like Tuta absoluta on tomatoes. The ministry noted that while Mancozeb is crucial for fungal disease management on various crops, its use will be retained for five years while alternatives are sought. Profenofos is restricted to controlling the fall armyworm, and Thiamethoxam is designated for use on coffee and maize for specific pest control.

The ministry assures farmers that alternatives exist for the banned chemicals. This regulatory action is a commitment to ensuring that agricultural practices in Uganda align with international safety standards and protect both public health and ecological well-being.

Accordiing to the Daily Monitor, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries banned the nine agro-chemical inputs since they pose human health and environmental hazards. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/nine-selected-agricultural-inputs-banned-across-country-5486886