ABSTRACT
The Malaysian government has given high priority to agricultural development. Irrigation has enabled the planting of two crops per year or three crops in two years, and extensive cultivation of short-term and high-response varieties covering more than 70% of the total paddy area. Acute human poisoning from pesticides is easier to detect than chronic effects. The environmental problems arising from the use of pesticides on paddy in Malaysia are minor in comparison to other countries. Public awareness is generated through Sahabat Alam Malaysia and state consumer associations, in particular the Consumer Association of Penang. About M$160 million worth of pesticides are sold annually in Malaysia. Control is exercised by the Pesticide Act, with the objectives of controlling the efficiency of pesticides and their toxicity to users, the general public, domestic animals, wildlife and the environment.
