Perspectives on the development of biological control agents in Africa
2007
Cherry, A.J. | Gwynn, R.L.
Concern over the impact of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment continues to stimulate the study of alternative, biological pest control agents (BCA). In Africa, use of BCA products is just emerging, primarily in the export sector where growers are using a mixture of products from new African companies and products imported from outside Africa. In contrast, although interest in BCA for use in domestic markets has been widely supported by development funding partners for many years, few products have become available to these growers. The limited uptake of BCA in Africa suggests there may be constraints and issues working against their wider implementation. Here, we focus on non-technical constraints and issues facing microbial BCA applied inundatively, but arguments extend to a greater or lesser degree to all BCA. The challenges to wider BCA availability could be overcome by: a more coherent approach to their regulation across the continent; support for BCA development that is based on evidence of need and applicability; and political advocacy to lobby for necessary resources being made available to all stakeholders.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]