PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM HIGHLY HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES

Responding to the World Environment Day (June 5) and continuing to carry out the activity "Protecting children from highly toxic pesticides" of the Asia Pacific Pesticide Action Network, on June 4, 2023, the Center for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) has cooperated with the Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Son La Province (SDPP), the People's Committee of Muoi Noi Commune, the Youth Union of Muoi Noi Commune and the Secondary School of Muoi Noi Commune to organize communication activities on the benefits of ecological agriculture, biodiversity and harmful effects of highly toxic pesticides to human health and the environment.

The objective of the activity is to provide knowledge and raise awareness for teachers, parents and students in the school about the dangers of highly toxic pesticides to human health and the environment, especially impact on children's health, ecosystems and biodiversity. The activity also aims to raise awareness and knowledge of the community about the benefits of agro-ecological practices for the health of the community, especially for children’s future.

Although it has been in the student's summer holiday, the communication activity attracted the participation of 70 people (50 students, 10 parents and 5 teachers, 3 Youth Union officials and 02 leaders of People's Committee). Muoi Noi commune), with the facilitation of SRD staff and offices from the SDPP.

Before discussion in the hall, the students, their parents and SRD staff and SDPP’s officers went to the rice fields to learn about the reality of the field ecology and share about the harmful effects of using high toxic pesticides. factors in the field and the importance of protecting children from exposure to these chemicals.

Back to the school hall, communication activity was organized through stories, practical examples, games to learn about biodiversity, the ecosystem as well as the harmful effects of high toxic pesticides. The parents and students shared stories, examples of how they saw or knew certain animals and plants in the fields or hills before and at present, as well as facts about how do the adults use pesticides, how do students feel and expect about this activity...

The results that all students and parents agreed on is that there are many snakes, crabs, frogs, and even fish in the field in 5 or 10 years ago. But at present, there are no more these, and appearing more species of snails that damage rice and mice. For the fact of spraying pesticides, although the number of sprays and spraying habits have been reduced compared to the past, many students, especially young students at level 6, still feel afraid when their parents and the villagers sprayed pesticides because the smell of the drug sometimes wafted when they were on their way to school. After listening to many stories and specific examples from students and parent representatives, SRD staff and the SDPP shared about agro-ecology and biodiversity, the harmful effects of toxic pesticides to the environment and human health, especially for children, the notes when using pesticides...

At the end of the communication event, the leaders of the Commune People's Committee and the representative of the Youth Union of Muoi Noi Commune shared that they are always willing to cooperate and welcome all activities to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture to promote a cleaner living environment, also to limit the harmful effects of climate change by reducing some greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural production, including limiting the use of chemicals, especially the high toxic pesticides. The representative of the school board also expressed the hope that the project will continue to organize similar activities in integration with the school's extra-curricular activities with all students, school teachers, as well as the student's parent representatives at appropriate times.

The students visited the rice field

Prepare for joining the event in the school

Desire for a healthy environment and no harmful chemicals

We want a healthy environment and no harmful chemicals

Discussion about the meaning of the posters

The student and the parents discussed together about the poster

Students tell stories about pesticide spraying activities at the locality

The leader of the commune shared the benefits of ecological agriculture

SRD staff shared about biology and the meaning of the poster

Sharing of SDPP about ecological agriculture and the harm of high toxic pesticides to human and environment