Dakar, May 7 (APS) – Senegal uses “a little less than 5,000 tons of pesticides” each year, 70% of which are imported, we learned Tuesday from the executive secretary of the Senegalese non-governmental organization. Enda Pronat, Jean-Michel Sène.
”Each year, Senegal consumes a little less than 5,000 tonnes of pesticides, the value of which is estimated at 10 billion CFA francs,” said Mr. Sène.
According to him, 70% of the pesticides used in Senegal come from abroad.
“There is the hand of Europe in our dishes, which today requires a whole mobilization of the actors that we are”, launched the executive secretary of Enda Pronat on the sidelines of the launch of the Atlas of pesticides/Senegal, an activity of the Heinrich-Böll Senegal foundation and this NGO.
The non-governmental organization held this meeting to “inform [les usagers de] the impact of pesticides in Senegal,” said Jean-Michel Sène.
The Atlas of Pesticides/Senegal is a publication providing data relating to the use and impact of these substances on agriculture, human health, biodiversity, water and soil.
‘Excessive’ use of pesticides
Mr. Sène points out that pesticides have helped increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security in many parts of the world. However, in addition to these benefits there are worrying consequences for human health, he noted.
There is an ”excessive” use of pesticides in Senegal, which has negative consequences on the environment, human health and biodiversity, contamination of soils, groundwater and waterways, reported Jean-Michel Sène.
The use of a large quantity of pesticides also deteriorates the quality of water and the health of populations, according to him.
In addition, the intensive use of pesticides can lead to the resistance of parasites and insects to chemicals and lead to a dangerous increase in the doses used, in addition to making treatments less effective in the long term, he said. warned.
”Today we face a silent health crisis, where exposure to agricultural pesticides has become ubiquitous and affects agricultural workers, rural communities and consumers, through residues in food.” Mr. Sène is alarmed.
He adds that ”scientific evidence of the harmful effects of these products on human health and the environment […] highlight troubling links to chronic diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders and infertility.
Jean-Michel Sène reports ”the alarming disappearance of essential pollinators such as bees, numerous cases of food poisoning and water pollution”.
He deplores that the consequences of the ”excessive” use of pesticides do not generate ”massive awareness among populations, especially among the most exposed groups”.
An agricultural model to rethink
The executive secretary of Enda Pronat believes that the Senegalese agricultural model must be rethought, and sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides explored. But this requires a collective commitment from governments, the agricultural industry, researchers, civil society organizations and consumers, he said.
Fabian Heppe, director of the Heinrich-Böll Foundation, believes that it is possible to increase agricultural productivity without using pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
He argues that agroecology, which combines traditional protection practices and the prudent use of safe and effective pesticides, is a reliable and easy-to-practice alternative.
AFD/ASG/ESF
