Colombian agricultural experience and situation in safe use of pesticides, program for the responsible management of pesticides and its methodology: learning by doing and verifying

Introduction
Colombia is an agricultural country with an annual rate of pesticide utilization equivalent to 0.9% of the global pesticide use. These products are overseen by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment and the Agriculture and Livestock Colombian Institute ICA (dependency of the Ministry of Agriculture). The Colombian agro-chemical manufacturing industry is organized as an association through the Procultivos Camara , nested in the Asociacion Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia (ANDI). It has been working on implementing programs dealing with the safe and effective use of pesticides.

Methods
Theoretical courses – practical; workshops for training instructors and seminars on:
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Available techniques and the integration of measures to combat plagues and diseases.
• Toxicology Concepts: Definitions, routes of penetration, first aid.
• Responsible application of pesticides: application methods, personal protection equipment
• Responsible storage and transportation of pesticides.

Results
PROGRAM FOR THE RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF PESTICIDES 2000 – 2010, NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAINED:
Producers: 18.618, Technicians: 4.660, Students: 6.530, Agricultural Engineers: 3.759, Warehouse Keepers: 3.305, Medical Personnal: 1.541.

Discussion
Are they really effective trainings on Responsible Management of Pesticides for Farmers?

R. The trainings provide key elements for producers to implement them in their daily work but it is clear that training should be repeated periodically to improve good habits in handling pesticides.