A National Survey on the Use of Agricultural Pesticides in Palestine

Abstract

This research study identifies the types and estimates the quantity of pesticides used in selected Palestinian districts. A survey of farmers (n = 126) was conducted in five districts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where pesticides are mostly used on irrigated land cultivated with vegetables. Data analysis of received questionnaires (87%) revealed a total number of 217 pesticides including 13 soil sterilizers, while 134 kinds with different active ingredients (insecticides 62; fungicides 45; herbicides 20) were applied in all districts. Based on the total irrigated land cultivated, the rate of pesticides per dunum reached 0.77 L in Gaza strip and 0.18 L in the West Bank districts. Contrary to earlier published data, our results support a trend of general decrease in the use of agricultural pesticides in the districts under study further to recent efforts encouraging pest management practice.

Keywords: pesticides, agriculture, best management, health risk, Palestine