Aims: Assessment of human and environmental health implications of pesticide use by farmers in the western highlands of Cameroon, the case of Fotouni. Study design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Place and Duration of Study: This work was done between November 2016 and March 2017 in Fotouni (West Region of Cameroon). Methodology: A structured questionnaires randomly administered to 76 markets gardeners owning a farm and willing to take part in the survey. Results: The survey revealed that secondary school was the highest level of education achieved by most of the respondents (68.4%). Farmers were aged between 19 and 63 years, the highest percentage (47.4%) being in the 31 to 40 years range. Five pesticide families were used in the study area with a predominance of insecticides. Thirty-one commercial names were recorded corresponding to 18 active ingredients. Chlorothalonil was the most used active ingredient. Beauchamp and Dimethoate were two illegally used compounds recorded. Most farmers (89%) mixed pesticide before application while others (31.6%) changed dosage per crop season. Furthermore, prescribed doses were not followed by 34.2% of respondents and 60.5% of farmers hadn’t receive any training on pesticide application. Market gardeners chose pesticides to apply mainly from information on labels (71%). Farm water was used by 92.1% of respondents for domestic purposes; 28.9% of respondents testified active pesticide poisoning while 47.4% failed to use protective equipment during application. Seven post-application symptoms were recorded, the main one being impaired vison and nausea. The farm house was the main pesticide storage site (56%). Empty sachets were poorly managed as respondents burned (42%) or buried (10%). The Restricted Entry Interval was a mystery for the majority of respondents (70%) who declared they re-entered the farms less than 24h after application. Conclusion: Farmers were highly exposed to pesticides due to ignorance and poor legislation.
Aims: Assessing the conservation status of Raphia and the interaction between local populations and Raphia palm groves in Fotouni Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the West Region of Cameroon (Fotouni) Methodology: A total of 60 Raphia palm grove owners were involved in the interview using questionnaires; mapping and direct observations were additional tools. Results: According to the perception of 93% of the surveyed respondents, the quantity of Raphia in the area has decreased over the past 15 years, due mainly to agriculture (N=48; 80.00%) and non-regeneration (N=18; 30.00%). Farming was the main activity in the area. Raphia in the area is mainly used for building, craft, food source, medicine and agriculture. Respondents confirmed the presence of a diversified mesofauna in Raphia palm groves, dominated by rodents. Mapping gave evidence of a close relationship between Raphia palm groves and water points. In addition, Raphia provides firewood and wine. Good maintenance (N=55; 91.67%) and regeneration (N=45; 75.00%) are the main strategies implemented by the respondents to preserve their Raphia palm groves. For a long-term preservation, respondents proposed: sensitization (N=14; 23.33%), re-planting (N=20; 33.33%), pasting of warning and use of fetishes (N=16; 26.67%). Conclusion: The current state of Raphia palm groves in Fotouni is not favourable to wetland conservation. The Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development should provide a national inventory of Raphia coverage while the local population should adopt healthy behaviours towards the exploitation of Raphia.
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