Toxic Residue Taints Avocado Boom

May 24 , 2025. By RUTH BERHANU ( FORTUNE STAFF WRITER )

Traces of pesticides, banned internationally due to serious health and environmental concerns, have been found in avocados, pressing for stronger regulation and increased awareness among farmers. Representatives from the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority described rising pesticide use, poor enforcement, health hazards, and widespread gaps in farmer training as critical issues.

Pesticide use in Ethiopia dates back to the 1940s, initially to combat desert locusts, and expanded through government programs in the 1960s. Six decades later, annual pesticide use surged dramatically from slightly over 200tns in 2000 to more than 4,100tns, ranking Ethiopia among Africa's highest pesticide users. In the 2020/21 cropping season alone, pesticides covered almost 4.5 million hectares.

This increase in pesticide use carries severe risks. Of Ethiopia's 436 registered pesticides, the Pesticide Action Network classifies 236 as highly hazardous. A 2023 study revealed acute risks in 11pc to 16pc of these pesticides, while 7.3pc to 11pc posed long-term threats to aquatic life. Ethiopia currently lacks robust monitoring systems and adequate risk assessment protocols.

The escalating concerns over pesticide misuse were a subject of debate at a recent forum organised by the Addis Abeba Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Association, in partnership with the Danish Initiative (DI). Agricultural researchers, policymakers, business leaders, and those representing NGOs tried to chart a pathway to addressing it.

Abaya Alemu, head of the Pesticide Evaluation & Registration Desk at the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA), disclosed a four-stage regulation process from pre-registration to periodic reviews. Despite clear procedures, he noted notable weaknesses, particularly during post-registration.

His Authority confirmed it is conducting further research on pesticide usage nationwide but declined to release details.

Authorities depend entirely on expensive overseas labs and foreign-issued certificates, creating regulatory vulnerabilities. Market surveillance and local testing are limited, and efficiency assessments often ignore globally recognised Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), standards endorsed by organisations such as the UN, FAO, and WHO.

While national law mandates safety and quality testing before pesticide registration, loopholes exist. Abaya disclosed gaps in the registration process. Although regulations forbid trading unregistered pesticides or using products outside approved conditions, exceptions allow limited imports for research, emergencies, or undefined "compelling reasons," pending a government directive.

These gaps permit some flower farms to routinely import unregistered pesticides, which are regulated primarily by the standards of export destination countries rather than domestic oversight. According to Abinet Belayneh of Tana Flora, located in Bahir Dar, his firm mainly imports pesticides for preventive purposes, guided by international regulations.

“Our operations undergo annual inspections by regulatory bodies in our export markets,” Abinet said.

Zemachu Yadette from Adam Horticulture Plc confirmed importing pesticides, primarily from Kenya. His company faces regular audits by European importers and avoids "Class 1" pesticides, which are considered extremely hazardous.

However, pesticides meant solely for ornamental plants are frequently diverted to food crops like tomatoes.

"We spray flower pesticides on tomatoes," Matusala Welay, a tomato farmer from Silte Zone in Central Regional State, admitted candidly. "Tomatoes are flowers."

He attributed farmers’ widespread misuse of chemicals to illiteracy and lack of training. Farmers often overdose or apply expired products in hopes of improved yields. These tomatoes reach major markets, including Addis Abeba, largely unchecked.

According to Ermias Abelneh, a chemical engineer, most farmers lack basic training in pesticide safety, which contributes to hazardous practices such as unsafe disposal, improper chemical mixing, and applying pesticides to crops like khat. Low literacy levels and limited agricultural extension services compound these issues.

"Farmers mix chemicals improperly, spray without protective gear, and discard containers unsafely," Ermias said.

He recommended empowering inspectors to conduct surprise checks and urged international support for enhanced training and alternative pest management strategies.

“We need to scale up Integrated Pest Management across the country," Ermias said, advocating for polluter-pays principles, subsidising protective equipment, and implementing community-based monitoring to flag illegal pesticide practices.

Damene Dawena from the Southwestern Regional State Agricultural Bureau blamed poor communication between farmers and agricultural authorities for contributing to pesticide misuse.

"During pest outbreaks, farmers panic, and pesticide demand spikes," he said. "Suppliers rush to meet this demand, frequently ignoring safety standards."

The local manufacturer, Adami Tulu Pesticides Processing Factory, does not adequately meet farmers' demands.

Original and certified antifungal pesticides imported from Germany, intended for single-use applications, are priced between 4,000 Br and 5,000 Br, compared with fake products sold cheaply at 500 Br to 1,000 Br. Mulugeta Wariso, a farmer, noted the severity, blaming widespread smuggling of pesticides from Moyale, frequently mixed with expired or unregistered stock.

“Even when we find the right products elsewhere, they are often restricted," Mulugeta said.

"If someone trained us or inspected our farms regularly, things could be different," he continued, "but no one seems to care."

The centralised regulatory framework under the Ministry of Agriculture further complicates effective oversight. Abaya recommended decentralising pesticide regulation to regional bodies, which he argued would improve accountability and enforcement capabilities.

"If we do not act now, we are trading short-term yields for long-term harm to public health and the environment," Ermias warned.

Editors' Note: This article has been amended from its original form on May 31, 2025.

"Ethiopia does not have a fully equipped laboratory to test pesticide safety or quality," disclosed Abaya. This has been omitted due to factual error.

PUBLISHED ON May 24,2025 [ VOL 26 , NO 1308]