agroecology

In Lebanon, after years of intensive agriculture and the use of chemicals, there is a growing need and interest in safer and environmentally friendly alternatives. Emerging from years of academic research, biopesticides have been approved by Lebanese authorities, but are still not officially registered due to the lack of regulatory procedures.

In Morocco, behind the alarming statistics on pesticide use lies a rarely acknowledged reality: that of agricultural female workers and small-scale farmers trapped in a system that sacrifices their health and dignity in the name of profit. In the Gharb region, a hub for the export-oriented production of red fruits, their testimonies reveal a daily struggle marked by grueling working conditions, exposure to chemicals without adequate protection, and the resulting tragic consequences. Exposing these realities aims to spark collective awareness and advocate for a fairer agricultural model—one that upholds human dignity and preserves the environment.

Agriculture in Tunisia is facing critical challenges now with the recent findings on the use of phytosanitary products, which are banned in several countries, including Europe and the United States. This raises concerns about soil health, biodiversity, and food security in the country. Nonetheless, promising alternatives such as agroecology and sustainable agriculture are becoming more prominent, offering a holistic perspective for a sustainable transformation of the Tunisian agricultural sector.

As in many countries, pesticides are widely used in Tunisia, which poses potential risks to human health and the environment. Despite their known risks, research on pesticide use and their effects is still lacking. It is challenging to assess the extent of pesticide-related problems in Tunisia and develop a reliable strategy to safeguard both the population and the environment.

In 2022, Tunisia imported 4,161.2 tons of pesticides, reflecting a significant 33 percent decrease from the previous year. This decline is largely due to reduced cultivated areas resulting from drought and water scarcity, alongside a general lack of awareness regarding the severity of the situation and the dangers associated with pesticide use. Over the past six years (2016 to 2021), average pesticide imports consistently exceeded the 6,000-ton threshold (Figure 1), with imports comprising 52 percent fungicides, 23 percent herbicides, and 21 percent insecticides (Figure 2).

In the light of the high competitiveness witnessed in the vegetable and fruit markets both regionally and locally, reliance on agricultural pesticides that are globally banned, such as paraquat and methomyl, has become prevalent among farmers in Jordan. Those farmers resort to using banned pesticides to quickly eliminate crop pests and achieve financial profits, disregarding human health and the environment.

Resorting to banned pesticides is not a new occurrence in the West Bank. For years, press reports and investigative reports have revealed their excessive use. Today, this issue has taken on a new dimension: pesticides banned in Europe find their way into the hands of Palestinian farmers. Isn’t the rule of thumb: what is dangerous in one place is dangerous everywhere?