The FARM Programme Aims to Help Reduce Pesticides and Plastic Usage in Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the important pillars of the global food supply. For decades, various agricultural practices have been implemented to ensure productive and healthy crops, including using chemicals such as pesticides. However, chemical and plastic usage in agriculture has its own risks for human health and environmental wellbeing. The Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Programme (FARM Programme) aims to help farmers transition to more organic agricultural practices.

Pesticides and Other Agricultural Practices

Farmers often use chemicals to protect their crops from weeds and pests. In 2016, the UNEP recorded that about 4.1 million tons of pesticides were used globally per year. Farmers also use fertilizers to boost crop growth and plastic products to help with seedlings, irrigation, and other functions.

Despite their benefits, the above practices can threaten human health and environmental wellbeing. The UNEP further stated that approximately 11,000 deaths related to pesticide poisoning occur every year. Too much exposure to pesticides can also lead to cancers and affect neuronal, immune, and reproductive health.

Furthermore, the mismanagement of pesticides and agricultural plastic can be detrimental to the environment. The chemical residue from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers can degrade soil and groundwater. Farmers often still resort to burning agricultural plastic waste, which releases toxic pollutants that can harm the surrounding biodiversity and ecosystems.

The FARM Programme

The global population growth will inevitably lead to an increasing demand for food supply. While putting food on people’s plates is crucial, the efforts to support sustainable food systems behind it cannot be overlooked. This includes supporting sustainable agriculture.

In March 2024, the governments of Ecuador, India, Kenya, Laos, the Philippines, Uruguay, and Vietnam launched a five-year program to tackle pollution caused by pesticides and plastic usage in agriculture. Led by the UNEP and supported by the Global Environment Facility, the Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Programme (FARM) aims to help farmers adopt low- and non-chemical pesticide alternatives.

Policy and financial resources are crucial enabling factors in this transition. The FARM programme will support government regulations for phasing out toxic agriculture chemicals and plastic products and establishing better management standards. Furthermore, the program also aims to strengthen financial resource criteria from banks, insurance, and investments to improve pest control availability, production alternatives, and sustainable produce trade.

A Collaborative Effort

When implemented, the FARM programme is hoped to prevent over 51,000 tons of harmful pesticides and over 20,000 tons of plastic waste from being released into the surrounding environment. Additionally, it is also projected to prevent 35,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and protect over 3 million hectares of land from degradation.

The program will serve as a collaboration platform between governments, financial institutions, farmers, and other key actors in agriculture to create more sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen food systems.

“Food productivity and safety is reliant on identifying better practices and safer alternatives to highly hazardous pesticides,” said Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division. “Adoption is key to scaling these alternatives. There is no real option other than a strong, coordinated response to the pollution crisis.”

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.