The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a timely and essential "Mini Pilot" program to address the growing environmental and health risks posed by the improper disposal of empty pesticide packaging waste.
The program was inaugurated at the UNO Complex auditorium in Saturia, Manikganj, on Tuesday.
The pilot initiative focuses on the voluntary collection and disposal of Primary Pesticide Packaging Waste (PPPW) and is expected to make significant strides in managing hazardous waste produced by the country’s expanding agricultural sector.
With the widespread use of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) and hybrids in Bangladesh’s farming communities, along with a shift towards cultivating high-value vegetables and fruits, the demand for pesticides has increased exponentially.
The initiative aims to collect up to five metric tons of hazardous pesticide packaging waste over 12 months, with a long-term goal of establishing a comprehensive, environmentally friendly disposal system in Saturia, Manikganj.
This initiative falls under FAO’s Pesticide Risk Reduction in Bangladesh project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Md Khayrul Hasan, additional secretary (Development Wing) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and Jiaoqun Shi, FAO representative in Bangladesh, attended the event virtually.
The session was chaired by Md Iqbal Hossain, upazila nirbahi officer of Saturia, Manikganj.
By raising awareness among farmers about the safe handling of empty pesticide containers and conducting various training programs, the initiative encourages farmers and pesticide dealers to voluntarily collect and store empty containers at designated collection points.
By promoting safer practices, this program will contribute to environmental protection by preventing groundwater contamination, protecting wildlife, reducing air pollution, supporting recycling efforts, and maintaining ecosystem balance.
Ultimately, this will safeguard human health, protect families and crops, and ensure food safety.
Md Khayrul Hasan emphasized the importance of establishing a sustainable disposal system for agricultural waste, saying: “The increasing use of pesticides brings the challenge of managing empty pesticide containers. If not handled properly, these containers pose significant risks to human health, the environment, and food safety. We must work together to protect our environment.”
This pilot project is not just about waste disposal; it aims to lay the foundation for a nationwide system to manage pesticide waste responsibly.
The insights gained from this Mini Pilot will provide valuable data for the Bangladesh government and industry stakeholders, helping to develop a safe and sustainable model for the entire country.
Jiaoqun Shi highlighted the importance of awareness and knowledge dissemination among farmers and pesticide dealers.
He said: “There is no alternative to raising awareness among farmers and pesticide dealers about the safe handling of empty pesticide containers. Behavioral change and safe farming practices will contribute to safeguarding the environment in the long run.”
In preparation for the launch, a series of training sessions have been conducted with Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAOs) and local farmers.
Since November 2024, trained DAE officials and FAO personnel have educated over 1,000 farmers on the proper handling and disposal of empty pesticide containers.
This training ensures that farmers are well-equipped to manage pesticide packaging waste safely.
Additionally, the program is conducting more than 10 courtyard meetings with farmers and pesticide dealers to raise awareness and educate them on safe agricultural practices.
After the official inaugural session, the guests visited awareness activities conducted by FAO.
They toured nearby fields and farmers’ houses, where FAO provided safe farming equipment.
They also visited pesticide dealers’ shops and attended a farmers’ briefing and courtyard meeting to interact with farmers and pesticide dealers about their experiences with the initiative.
Mini Pilot objectives
The Mini Pilot aims to implement safe collection, storage, and disposal practices for empty pesticide containers in Saturia, serving as a model for other Upazilas across Bangladesh.
It seeks to raise awareness among farmers and pesticide dealers about the risks of improper disposal and the importance of participating in the collection system.
Additionally, it aims to establish a strong foundation for nationwide expansion, ensuring the safe and sustainable disposal of hazardous pesticide packaging waste.
This initiative marks a crucial step toward improving environmental and health standards in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector.
With the cooperation of farmers, government officials, and industry representatives, the pilot is expected to pave the way for broader implementation across the country.
FAO’s commitment to food safety and sustainability
Through its Pesticide Risk Reduction in Bangladesh project, FAO is working with the Government of Bangladesh to mitigate the negative environmental and health impacts of hazardous pesticide use.
By addressing the risks posed by empty pesticide packaging waste, the project promotes safer agricultural practices and a cleaner environment, aligning with FAO’s “Four Betters” framework— "Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life".