Pesticides pollution in agricultural soils of Pakistan

Abstract

Pesticides are widely used worldwide to control a range of pests infesting the agricultural crops. Increased use of pesticides has threaten human and enviroenmnetal health. In this book chapter, we have compiled data regarding pesticide use, soil and water contamination, and human poining in Pakistan. Pesticide utilization in Pakistan started in 1954 and is currently on the rise. Of the total pesticides used in Pakistan, insecticides shared major portion, followed by herbicides, acaricides, and fumigants. High percentage of pesticides is being applied in the Punjab province, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw and Balochistan. In Pakistan, the pesticide uses are mostly focused on cotton crop (almost 70-85% of total pesticides use) and other crops such as wheat, sugarcane, maize, rice and tobacco as well as for vegetables and fruits. Different groups of pesticides, especially the residues of organochlorine, have been reported in soils and waters in different areas of Pakistan. The fate and charactiristics of pesticides in soils and percolation to deep soil depends vary with soil physico-chemical properties. Over 500,000 Pakistanis suffered annually from poisoning due to agro-chemicals, out of which 10,000 died. Regulations have also been developed for safe use of pesticides in Pakistan such as Farmer Field School led Integrated Pest Management model.