Pesticide risk management in the Pacific: aiming to promote sustainable agriculture and healthier production

Abstract

FAO has been actively promoting the concept of sustainable intensification of agriculture for many years. The need to reduce risks associated with food production from chemical inputs has never been more important. The pressure to feed an increasing population and access overseas markets is placing increasing pressure on developing countries to intensify agricultural production. Unless this process is sustainable and minimises risk to agricultural workers, the environment and the consumer any benefit will be short term and fail to meet our needs as we look forward.