Communities in Peril: Asian regional report on community monitoring of highly hazardous pesticide use

This report details the results of a community monitoring study aimed at investigating the use and impacts of pesticides in affected communities in Asia, and observance of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides (the Code of Conduct). The monitoring took place in the context of increasing use of pesticides and associated impacts on farmers, agricultural workers and their communities in the Asian region. The approach used in this initiative was based on Community Pesticide Action Monitoring (CPAM) a participatory method that involves community members who undertake the research, and encourages organising and action.

In 2008, 1304 farmers and agricultural workers were interviewed from 12 communities in 8 Asian countries. Data was gathered through face-to-face interviews conducted in local languages. The community interviews covered various sectors including vegetable farmers (Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam), paddy farmers (India and Vietnam), cotton farmers (Orissa, India), agricultural workers in varied farm crops (Andhra Pradesh), and agricultural workers in palm oil plantations (Perak and Bintulu, Malaysia). Respondents from a wide range of nationalities and ethnic groups were involved, and consisted of 399 (31%) women and 903 (69%) men, and 69 incident reports were gathered. Partners also endeavoured to survey 10 retail stores each. The results were analysed in 2009 and the local and regional results are presented here.