Agro-Chemicals, Productivity and Health in Vietnam

Like many developing countries, Vietnam promotes the use of agro-chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides) to boost agricultural production. As many countries have found, however, farmers often misuse these chemicals, applying them excessively or in ineffective ways. The results are damages to the health of farmers, consumers and the ecosystem, and often a reduction of farmers' profits due to the cost of the chemicals. This study found all of these problems in Vietnam and suggests that better information programs for farmers and more vigorous promotion of Integrated Pest Management could be effective in changing farmers' behaviour.