Opportunities for pesticide reduction in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Pesticide impacts on the marine environment in the Dominican Republic, although suspected by many, are difficult to prove scientifically. It is likely that the present cultivation of rice around the perimeter of Samana Bay results in run-off of pesticides into unique coastal marine ecosystems. The high cost of pesticide use in rice along with the development of Integrated Pest Management techniques for rice in other countries offers a unique opportunity to develop nonchemical agriculture in the country's number one pesticide-consuming crop. Dominican organizations who can contribute significantly to this project have been identified.