Protecting Communities Exposed to Agrochemicals

The “Social-Environmental Encounter for the life and health” that took place in Canals, a city in the southern part of Córdoba, was an opportunity to continue learning from communities living near cropfields frequently sprayed with pesticides. During this encounter in November, community members had the opportunity to express their concerns and feelings on problems affecting them, including cancer, respiratory and skin diseases.

In addition to these workshops, a doctor taught the cause-effect of pesticides on health, based off the case study of Monte Maíz, another town in Córdoba from the same region. Finally, a law was passed which banned the use of chemicals in crops near populated areas and the health of the neighbors improved. This improvement was evident by the reduction of the medical consultations in the city.

FUNDEPS participated in the encounter by developing capacity-building among the community regarding their right to health and a healthy environment. María, Coordinator of the Environmental Area of FUNDEPS, was in charge of teaching these rights and ways community member are able to claim them. It was a very mobilizing event because previously, there wasn't any spaces for affected community members to express their concerns or organize to develop advocacy strategies.

Agricultural engineers were also present at this multidisciplinary event. There, they discussed alternative ways of production, without damage to health or the environment. Their talks focused on agro-ecological practices and how to apply those practices in the field.

Local authorities gave no response to their claims at the event. Moreover, some of the local authorities are owners of nearby fields sprayed with chemicals, so they are considered a part of the problem as well. Many of the neighbors had never spoken about their problems nor shared their experiences, thereby demonstrating that there is a public problem that desperately needed attention. This event helped prove the community's strength and demonstrated that members have the capacity to fight for their rights and succeed in doing so. 

During the following months, we have kept in touch with the communities we were working with to further assist them in developing advocacy strategies. In the coming months, we plan to publish recommendations for national legislation on agrochemical use near populated areas.