Trend of pesticide usage in Bangladesh

A survey was conducted on the use of pesticides in Bangladesh as part of the IAEA agrochemical residues project. We found total pesticide consumption doubled over the past 6 years. Among the pesticides applied to agricultural crops, insecticides comprised more than 95% of the total used, fungicides, weedicides, and rodenticides made up the remaining 5%. By chemical composition, organophosphorus compounds comprised 60.4%, carbamates 28.6%, organochlorines 7.6% and others 3.4% of the total pesticides. It was found that those used the least were the most environmentally caustic pesticides. Although much is known about the potential impact of pesticides on the environment and health, more data is required to ascertain the present effects and future risks of increased pesticide use.