Shemiem Modiwirijo
Celebrating women across the globe helping to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoning.Promoting responsible pesticide management through restrictions, training, and policy development
Name
Shemiem Modiwirijo, PGDip Agri-Food Safety & Quality Assurance
Job role
Head of the Pesticide Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries of Suriname
Location
Suriname
Tell us about your role?
As Head of the Pesticide Division, I am responsible for the registration and import of pesticides. Each application is assessed to determine whether the proposed pesticides are necessary for import by conducting a thorough desk review and, if needed, overseeing field research. Based on the findings, a decision is made to approve, reject, or impose restrictions on the import.
Because of these decisions, it is also important to provide training initiatives on the safe and responsible use of pesticides to end users.
For the past two years, I have also served as the Chair of the Pesticide Control Board. This role focuses more on pesticide management policy. We have been prioritizing highly hazardous pesticides and working on regulation and strategies to prevent pesticide-related suicides and occupational poisoning.
Why is this work important to you?
This work is important to me because it directly affects human health. While pesticides are designed to aid food production, their misuse can lead to serious health risks, including poisoning and long-term environmental harm. By ensuring responsible pesticide management, I help protect farmers, consumers, and ecosystems. Additionally, my efforts in reducing highly hazardous pesticides and preventing pesticide-related suicides give me a deep sense of purpose, knowing that this work can save lives.
This profile has been compiled for International Women’s Day 2025, to celebrate the incredible women worldwide who are helping to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoning.