The Health Benefits of IPM Programs and their consequences for agricultural and health policies
in Central America
Purpose
To promote the incorporation of farmer health in IPM programs in Central America in the context of
sustainable agricultural systems based on an appropriate identification and quantification of the
health benefits of IPM programs
Objectives
- review and advance of methodologies for the evaluation of health effects of IPM
- identification of the respective impact of IPM training programs
- valuation of health effects in economic terms
Strategy
A study valuing the health effects achieved with farmers' training in the 15 year CATIE program
currently carried out in Nicaragua by HU provides the basis for a review and assessment of
methodologies on the economic valuation from pesticide health effects in Central America. An
international workshop is conducted in Nicaragua that reviews and synthesises the importance,
appropriate methodologies, and available results with regards to the health benefits attributable
to IPM programmes. Results of farmer meetings on the analysis of pesticide-related health problems
and proposed action are included in the international workshop. The specific objectives of the
workshops are to: i) offer a forum to discuss the broader impact of IPM programs with scientists
and stakeholders in Central America with regards to the aspect of human health in the context of
sustainable agriculture; ii) to discuss policy options for more effective mitigation of pesticide
health hazards; iii) identify consequences of a proper recognition of health benefits for the
design of IPM policy in Central America and beyond.
Taskforce Leader
University of Hannover, Faculty of Economics, Institut für Gartenbauökonomie
Partners
European Institutions:
- The Global IPM Facility at FAO in Rome
- CABI Bioscience
- International Union of Food and Agricultural Workers at Geneva
Central American Organisations:
- CATIE Nicaragua
- PLAGSALUD
- Panamerican Health Organization, Nicaragua.
- PAN-RAPAC
Documented Results
Taskforce in progress.
Contact
University of Hannover,  Dr. Hermann Waibel and Hildegard Garming or the IPMEurope secretariat
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