Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
MAMAS
*
Managing Agrochemicals in Multi-Use Aquatic Systems
A) Project setting
1) What was the background and motivation of the project?
Agriculture in Asian countries has undergone significant intensification within the
last 30 years. Traditional crop varieties and agricultural techniques have been changed
to increase productivity; however, modern high yield varieties tend to require great
inputs of agrochemicals, and of particular concern, pesticides. In Asian countries,
the water resource is often used for land crop irrigation, watering of livestock, catch
fisheries, and communal bathing. The impact of agrochemicals on the sustainability
of such a multi-use water management system may be complex in terms of both the
fate and effects of contamination. Very few studies regarding the environmental
distribution, toxic effects on aquatic organisms, or general impact on aquatic ecosys-
tems of agrochemicals have been undertaken in Asian countries.
Understanding and mitigating negative impacts of agrochemicals on the ecosys-
tem will involve the active participation of a range of stakeholders and a systems
approach to research. Furthermore if information derived from research is to lead to
decision-making and action, policy development must be integral to the process.
2) What was the institutional context (partners with which cooperated?)
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Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK (Coordinator)
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Alterra, Wageningen University and Research centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, Colombo,
Sri Lanka
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Agribusiness Centre, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
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School of Environment Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Tech-
nology, Thailand
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Department of Fishery Biology, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University,
Thailand
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Questionnaire received 2006; Project leader P. Van den Brink (Alterra)
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