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Ellinor Isgren

Researcher

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An Environmental Justice Perspective on Smallholder Pesticide Use in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

  • Ellinor Isgren
  • Elina Andersson

Summary, in English

Pesticide use is increasing in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and many smallholders purchase, handle, and apply toxic pesticides with inadequate equipment, knowledge, and technical support. Through the frame of environmental justice, this literature-based study analyzes characteristics, impacts, and drivers of smallholder pesticide use in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to Uganda as a case. We find that market liberalization, poor regulation enforcement, and persistent neglect of agricultural extension place the burden of risk largely on farmers, while perceived necessity of pesticides and the elusive nature of impacts (especially under conditions of insufficient monitoring) likely delay social mobilization around pesticides. The environmental justice frame, which has seen limited application in smallholder contexts, importantly helps delineate future directions for research and practice. It is particularly effective for redirecting focus from highly limited managerial solutions for “safe use” toward deeper problem drivers and solutions capable of tackling them.

Department/s

  • LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)

Publishing year

2021

Language

English

Pages

68-97

Publication/Series

The Journal of Environment & Development

Volume

30

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Topic

  • Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
  • Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
  • Agricultural Occupational Health and Safety

Keywords

  • agrochemicals
  • environmental health
  • environmental justice
  • Integrated pest management
  • pest management
  • pesticides
  • slow violence
  • smallholder farming

Status

Published

Project

  • Pest management and environmental justice in a changing climate – the case of Uganda

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1552-5465