Farmers’ knowledge and perception of the use of pesticides in Arabica coffee, Coffea arabica agro-ecologies of Uganda

Abstract

Low yields of coffee in Uganda are due to a number of factors with insects, diseases and weeds being paramount. In response, farmers respond by applying all kinds of pesticides to control these stresses. A questionnaire to elucidate farmers' knowledge and perceptions of pesticide use was therefore administered to 325 randomly selected respondents in the Arabica coffee growing regions of Uganda. Our results showed that only 23% of the respondents had ever used or were using pesticides, although, >50% of these respondents had knowledge on pesticides use. However, the methods of pesticide disposal were poor with >40% of these respondents disposing the wash water and unused/waste pesticide on their farms whereas, used containers were being burned. Also, >60% of these respondents were re-entering their coffee fields in less than one week after spraying. These practices expose the farmers, their animals and the environment to pesticide poisoning. Nevertheless, >50% of these respondents were aware of the negative effects pesticides are likely to cause to humans, animals and environment. Therefore, in order to minimize pesticide exposure and toxicity, training and awareness campaigns on pesticides use, particularly pesticide disposal should be rolled out to all the coffee growing agro-ecologies of Uganda.

Agrochemicals Use Practices and Health Challenges of Smallholder Farmers in Ghana

“…5,66 Dzobo 50 found that farmers complained about the following: body weakness (89.2%), sexual weakness (ie, impotence) among the men (24.5%), chronic cough (15.4%), and depression (14.3%) as symptoms of chemical poisoning. Similar findings have been reported in Uganda 14 and Kenya. 63 Study participants also lacked access to recommended protective gear: overall coats, nose masks, Wellington boots, and gloves.…”

“…Their study further found that farmers do not observe basic safety precautions such as re-entry period and most farmers spray pesticides against the wind, a finding that confirm the earlier study in Uganda. 14 The present study also observed that farmers engage in dangerous practices, such as mixing fertilizer and herbicides, with the hope that the concoction can kill weeds and at the same time provide nutrients to their crops. The result, therefore, affirms the findings of Mattah et al 51 who discovered that farmers used a cocktail of pesticides to control pests.…”

“…Their study further found that farmers do not observe basic safety precautions such as re-entry period and most farmers spray pesticides against the wind, a finding that confirm the earlier study in Uganda. 14 …”

“…[11][12][13] Furthermore, many farmers apply pesticides without the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as nose mask, overall coats, goggles, gloves, Wellington boots, etc., which further exposes them to chemical poisoning with grievous health and environmental consequences. 14,15 According to Northern Presbyterian Agriculture Services and Partners (NPASP) 27 of Ghana, 15 farmers died because of chemical poisoning in the Upper East region of Ghana. A study in Uganda, for example, found that 99.5% of the smallholder farmers applied pesticides without PPE and 92.7% mixed chemicals with their bare hands.…”

Perceptions and Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers towards Safe Pesticide Use in Basoliben District, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

“…For instance, Kwakye et al (2019) reported that in Ghana 89% farmers' stored pesticides in their home and 76% of them use products immediately. Similarly, Godfrey et al (2018) reported that more than 60% of coffee producer farmers in Uganda storing pesticides in their homes and 25% of respondents store in their bedrooms. In Ethiopia, different studies showed that farmers store pesticides in different locations.…”