Pesticides

Abstract

Agriculture’s heavy and growing dependence on pesticides across large parts of the world, though partly fueled by pesticides’ own effectiveness, is placing an ever-rising burden on human health, biodiversity, and even the agro-food sector. Pesticides are central to the mix of Green Revolution technologies that, by enabling agricultural intensification, have boosted agricultural productivity and output since the Second World War. When used correctly, pesticides are a labor-saving technology that can contain pest populations and improve crop yields, quality, and storability, at least in the short run.