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Globalization of pesticide technology and meeting the needs of low-input sustainable agriculture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

F. den Hond ,
P. Groenewegen  and
W.T. Vorley
F. den Hond*
Affiliation:
Researcher, Vrije Universiteit, Institute for Environmental Studies, De Boelelaan 1115, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands;
P. Groenewegen
Affiliation:
Researcher, Vrije Universiteit, Department of History, Philosophy and Social Aspects of Science, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands;
W.T. Vorley
Affiliation:
Program leader, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, 2105 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2505, USA.
*
Corresponding author is F. den Hond ([email protected]).
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Abstract

The focus of this paper is the challenge to technology development in the international pesticide industry. We address these challenges within the context of debates on how to achieve an environmentally- and economically-sustainable world food production system. Forces acting within and upon both pesticide manufacturers and the agrifood system are moving toward globalization and standardization. Main issues on sustainability in agriculture are protecting and improving agricultural resources (e.g., preserving and restoring soil and water quality). This places greater emphasis on diversity, regional self reliance, reduced chemical dependence and greater community involvement. A small but rapidly growing movement in local food systems is evolving in parallel with globalized agribusiness. It offers new opportunities for private sector development of technologies and services. These opportunities could be interesting for companies that are struggling to retain profitability in a stagnant and commodityoriented pesticide market. Our question is whether the pesticide industry is structurally capable of developing innovations in products and services for these new local/regional markets to ensure a more diversified and sustainable agriculture. Our conclusion is probably not, but if the industry were capable of doing so it would first need to acquire a thorough understanding of how organic farming systems function.

Keywords

crop protectionagrichemicalsorganic farming
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , June 1999 , pp. 50 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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