Understanding benefits and risks of pesticide use

Pesticides are widely used in most areas of crop production to minimize infestations by pests and thus protect crops from potential yield losses and reduction of product quality. Thus, they play an essential role in ensuring high profits to farmers, providing reliable supplies of agricultural produce at prices which are affordable to consumers, and also improving the quality of produce in terms of cosmetic appeal which is also important to buyers. Benefits from pesticide use can accrue to a number of different recipients, not only to farmers or consumers, but also to the society. At the same time, there is evidence of both direct and indirect dangers involved in the use of these chemical substances both for humans and the environment. Although discussions among scientists and the public have repeatedly focused on the real, predicted, and perceived risks that pesticides pose to people and the environment, in reality nobody will ever know with complete certainty that a pesticide is safe or not. Thus, a major issue which always arises is whether we are willing to accept the risks of pesticide use in pursuit of the benefits. It is necessary to reduce unreasonable fears, heighten awareness, foster support, and steer good public policy on pesticides and their use. The most promising opportunity for maximizing benefits and minimizing risks is to invest time, money, and effort into developing a diverse toolbox of pest control strategies that include safe products and practices that integrate chemical approaches into an overall and ecologically based framework which will optimize sustainable production, environmental quality, and human health.   Key words: Pesticides, crop protection, pest control, human health, risk communication.