Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate, neurotoxic pesticide widely used in agriculture. Its neurotoxic effect is due to its ability of inhabiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme needed for the proper functioning of nervous system. Because of its acute toxicity, it is being evaluated by the Stockholm Convention POPs Review Committee (POPRC) which will potentially be listed under POPs and banned globally ( Overview (pops.int) . It is also under evaluation under the Rotterdam Convention Chemicals Review Committee (CRC) for listing in Annex III of the Convention ( Overview (pic.int) ). These concerted efforts are geared towards banning chlorpyrifos. Because of its adverse effects on human health, the environment and other non-target organisms, chlorpyrifos is banned in 39 countries globally. In Ethiopia, chlorpyrifos is allowed only for restrict use. Despite this fact, the chemical is widely available in pesticide shops in rural areas where smallholder farmers are purchasing and usin
Holeta is a town in the special Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. It is located about 40 Km West of Addis Ababa, the Country’s capital. With its suitable agro ecology, a number of farmers produce vegetables for home consumption and as a source of cash income. Workie Shumeye is one of those farmers who grow vegetables year round–in different seasons. Workie and her colleagues used to grow vegetables conventionally using toxic agrochemical inputs both for soil fertility enhancement and plant protection. As the Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) project started in Holeta some ten years ago; Workie and other farmers her village became members of the project. The project came up with trainings and technical support for farmers on how they can implement organic farming practices and technologies to gradually convert their farm into an organically managed farm. By fully taking up the EOA technologies and practices, Workie became a fully fledged organic farmer. She manages poultry, pr