• The situation might improve if more restrictive regulations for the use of agrochemicals are implemented. However, a movement towards banning of agrochemicals exists.

• The synthesized chitosan derivative therefore showed potential for the encapsulation and controlled release of rotenone and other naturally occurring waterinsoluble agrochemicals that could be used in organic agriculture.

• These microcosms of traditional agriculture offer promising models for other areas as they promote biodiversity, thrive without agrochemicals, and sustain year round yields (Denevan 1995).