Educating and training herbicide applicators in Australia
2006
Kent, J. (Charles Sturt Univ., Wagga (Australia). E.H. Graham Centre For Agricultural Innovation)
Herbicide users need to be well trained with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that these products are used correctly and safely to maximize their benefits while minimizing any potential adverse effects. In Australia, the education and training of applicators of pesticides like herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and animal health products, takes a high priority in response to national and State regulatory obligations, community demands, market requirements, safety, environmental concerns, and the need to maximize the cost/effectiveness of using these products. A range of formal education and training programs are available from a variety of government and private training organizations. Informal local industry seminars and extension programs are provided for various industry clients by consultants, education institutions and government agencies. The agchem industry requires training of all personnel in the distribution and product sale chain. Vocational education and training sector courses in agriculture, horticulture and environmental management incorporate competency-based pesticide user training although at tertiary level, only a few university course embrace significant studies in pesticide application technology and management. The benefits of the delivery of coordinated training since 1990 are being seen through improved practices, better quality agricultural produce, and reduced environmental effects. To be effective, training and education programs must be coordinated, well designed and based on close collaboration between both the providers and the recipients of the training.
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