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Governments of Ecuador, India, Kenya, Laos, Philippines, Uruguay, and Vietnam have jointly initiated a $379 million program aimed at addressing pollution stemming from the use of pesticides and plastics in agriculture.

Chemicals are vital in agricultural practices, with nearly 4 billion tons of pesticides and 12 billion kg of agricultural plastics used annually. Despite enhancing food yields, these substances pose significant threats to human health and the environment. Annually, up to 11,000 people succumb to pesticide poisoning, and chemical residues can degrade ecosystems, undermining soil health and farmer resilience to climate change. Moreover, the incineration of agricultural plastics exacerbates air pollution, contributing to a global crisis that accounts for one in nine deaths.

Highly hazardous pesticides and poorly managed agricultural plastics release persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which persist in the environment and contaminate air, water, and food. These inputs are often cheaper than sustainable alternatives, providing farmers with little incentive to adopt better practices.

The Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Programme (FARM), spearheaded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), seeks to address these challenges. It aims to build a compelling business case for banks and policymakers to redirect policies and financial resources toward encouraging farmers to adopt low- and non-chemical alternatives. This transition is crucial for safeguarding health and the environment, enhancing yields, and increasing profitability.

Over the course of five years, the FARM program anticipates preventing more than 51,000 tons of hazardous pesticides and over 20,000 tons of plastic waste from entering the environment. Additionally, it aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35,000 tons and protect over 3 million hectares of land from degradation by promoting the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Anil Sookdeo, Chemicals Coordinator at GEF, emphasized, "Our current reliance on harmful chemicals in agriculture is unnecessary. FARM presents a compelling alternative, empowering farmers with knowledge and resources to transition to sustainable practices that not only safeguard health and the environment but also enhance productivity and profitability."