Pesticide Importation in Sierra Leone, 2010–2021: Implications for Food Production and Antimicrobial Resistance

Raymonda A. B. Johnson, Katrina Hann, Amara Leno, Collins Timire, Alpha J. A. Bangura, Margaret I. Z. George, Hayk Davtyan, Srinath Satyanarayana, Divya Nair, Alie H. D. Mansaray, Fatmata I. Bangura, Joseph S. Kanu and Jeffrey K. Edwards
Additional contact information
Raymonda A. B. Johnson: Crop Protection Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Katrina Hann: Sustainable Health Systems, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Amara Leno: Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases, Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nation, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Collins Timire: International Union against TB and Lung Disease (The Union), 75006 Paris, France
Alpha J. A. Bangura: Unique Solutons Company Limited, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Margaret I. Z. George: Magjay Co., Ltd., Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Hayk Davtyan: Tuberculosis Research and Prevention Center, Yerevan 0014, Armenia
Srinath Satyanarayana: International Union against TB and Lung Disease (The Union), 75006 Paris, France
Divya Nair: International Union against TB and Lung Disease (The Union), 75006 Paris, France
Alie H. D. Mansaray: Crops Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ground Floor, West Wing, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Fatmata I. Bangura: Epidemiology Unit—Livestock and Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Brookfields, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Joseph S. Kanu: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
Jeffrey K. Edwards: Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: There are no previous studies reporting the type and quantity of pesticides for farming from Sierra Leone and the impact of Ebola or COVID-19 on importation. This study reviewed imported farming pesticides by the Sierra Leone, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), between 2010–2021. It was a descriptive study using routinely collected importation data. We found the MAF imported pesticides for farming only during 2010, 2014 and 2021, in response to growing food insecurity and associated with Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks. Results showed insecticide importation increased from 6230 L in 2010 to 51,150 L in 2021, and importation of antimicrobial pesticides (including fungicides) increased from 150 kg in 2010 to 23,560 kg in 2021. The hazard class risk classification of imported pesticides decreased over time. Increasing amounts of imported fungicides could increase the risk of future fungal resistance among humans. We found that in responding to escalating food insecurity, the government dramatically increased the amount of pesticide importation to improve crop production. Further support is necessary to decrease the risk of worsening food shortages and the possible threat of emerging antimicrobial resistance. We recommend continued monitoring and surveillance, with further studies on the most appropriate response to these multiple challenges.

Keywords: agriculture; food security; operational research; plant health; plant product; SORT-IT (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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