The use of pesticides to control pests and diseases is extensive in banana plantations, particularly in those that produce for export and throughout the year. Banana crops are particularly susceptible to infestations as most are grown in the tropics, favouring conditions for pests. Pesticides are used to control different banana pests, including Black Sigatoka, which in banana plantations can significantly decrease yields by 35% to 50%. Contamination caused by the intensive use of agrochemicals in monoculture production remains a challenge.

Concerns about these risks are increasingly reflected in demands from the market regarding the use of pesticides. For producers, this development presents a need for change in their production and trading systems, updating their technical knowledge and maintaining at the same time the economic viability of banana farms.

It is therefore important to minimize pesticide use and ensure their sound management before, during and after application to reduce social and environmental risks.

Pesticide risk reduction

Banana production should follow the following steps in pesticide risk reduction as recommended by FAO:

Step 1:   Reduce reliance on pesticides

• Eliminate unjustified pesticide use using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.
• Increase use of non-chemical pest management and

A pest management plan is defined to help with this step and to take a proactive approach to pest management and use alternative measures to control the development of pests and diseases.

A pest management plan should encourage integrated pest management and establish pest and disease monitoring.

Step 2: Pesticide selection

• If pesticide use is deemed necessary, carefully select the most appropriate product.
• This should take into account a number of factors: effectiveness; environmental and human health hazards; risks associated with the recommended application method; personal protection requirements and pre-harvest intervals.

Each farm must have a list of permitted products.  This list should be based on:

• The list of approved products legally permitted in the country concerned;
• The list of products permitted under certification programmes of the plantation owner or main actors in the supply chain and the requirements of the country of destination for the final product. 
• This list should include commercial names, active ingredients, unit size, hazard classification, manufacturer and conditions for use.

Step 3: Proper use of product

Among the practices adopted to promote proper handling and use of pesticides:

1.    Development of procedures and protocols about:

• Personal Protection Equipment (masks, gloves, goggles, coveralls, etc) 
• Proper pesticides storage
• Instructions for proper application of pesticides
• Procedure to handle treated plastic bags
• Procedures for cleaning of application equipment
• Procedures for collection and/or disposal of empty pesticide containers
• Calibration of application equipment
• Health monitoring for plantation workers
• Procedure to load and unload pesticides
• Checklist to load and unload pesticides
• Calibration of measuring equipment
• First aid procedures and availability of first aid materials and equipment (emergency showers, eye wash sets, antidotes, etc).

2. Training programmes for all workers who handle and transport pesticides on proper handling and use of pesticides.

It is important to make sure that all workers who handle and apply pesticides are well trained for this activity.

 3. Storage management

• Each product must have its own label in the appropriate language.
• One person is responsible to manage the storage.
• All stores are locked, ventilated, with lighting and retaining wall if necessary, and visible information about procedures in case of emergencies.
• Stocks should be managed on the first-in first-out principle to prevent ageing of products. 
• Stores should have the necessary equipment and materials to handle leakage and other emergencies.

4.    Re-entry periods

After the application of pesticides in the plantation, it must be indicated when the workers can re-enter in the area.

5.    Communication of application programs

Define means of communication to all workers about application dates and time in the event of aerial spraying.

Step 4:  Waste management

Practices such as the cleaning of application equipment and disposal of empty pesticide containers, plastic bags treated with pesticides, and other contaminated materials, reduce the risks of contaminating the environment or causing accidental poisoning of people or livestock.

Empty bottles of pesticides are hazardous waste and cannot be reused under any circumstance.  The preferred option for managing empty pesticide containers is a collection scheme set up by the plantation or the supplier.  In the absence of such a scheme, containers should be triple rinsed and punctured. The rinsate should be sprayed out on the plantation.

Challenges

• Transition from a synthetic agrochemicals-based pest management to integrated pest management.
• Capacity-building, training and knowledge-sharing in terms of risk reduction are important to change practices that have been in place for many years.
• Additional investment from plantation owners may be required to prevent long-term damages and costs to health, environment and fruit quality.
• Strengthening farmers’ organizations and trade unions can help increasing plantation workers and farmers’ bargaining power in outgrower schemes.