PESTICIDES; A NECESSARY EVIL IN THE AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN- A REVIEW

Abstract

Even though pesticides constitute a
very essential component of improved and
modern agriculture, the abuse of pesticides
has brought substantial poisoning
worldwide, especially in developing
countries. This review investigates the
possible sources by which people are
exposed to pesticides worldwide and the
impact on their livelihood. The group who
often are exposed to these chemicals
includes, farm workers, children, farmers,
and family members who have direct link to
the pesticide application sites as well as
persons who are exposed to these pesticides
through the domestic use of waterbodies
and consumption of foodstuff or crops
sprayed with these pesticides. Central to
this review is the critical discussions of the
different scientific research findings on
health effects and risks related to pesticides
usage. Again, organophosphates and
organochlorines pesticides are found in
most of the pesticide contaminated sites and
can remain in soil and waterbodies for a
longtime. This work has also provided
cases of incidence of carcinogenicity in
humans, as a result of pesticides use. We
concluded that, breeding or developing
insect tolerant or resistant crops may curb
the profuse use of pesticides in agriculture.