Assessment of the knowledge and use of pesticides by the tomato farmers in Mwea Region, Kenya

Abstract

Current cultivation of vegetables to meet food security standards requires the use of pesticides which reduce losses from pests and diseases. A cross-sectional survey for pesticides use in tomato farms was conducted in Mwea, Kenya to assess the practices and constraints faced by the farmers. Gender, level of education, the use of pesticides in farms, experience in tomato farming, list of common pesticides, periodicity of pesticides spray in farms, approximate last day for pesticides spray, reason for pre-harvest period and pesticides spray in post-harvest time were investigated. Results revealed that, 90% farmers were men and 10% were females; 38.5% and other 38.5% attended primary and ordinary schools; 15 and 4% had advance and university levels. About 69% of respondents knew pesticides through other farmers; 31% through agrovets, extension officers and agricultural experts. Around 56% farmers knew the names of pesticides through other farmers, 44% got them from agrovets, agricultural officers and chemical companies. About 98% respondents use pesticides approved by government, 96.2% listed each between 2 and 11 names of pesticides mostly used in tomato farming. Almost 93% spray pesticides once a week in farms and 76.9% observe at least 7 days for the preharvest period. Relatedly, 84.8% assert that waiting for the pre-harvest time is the culture of farmers in the region. Surprisingly, 6% spray pesticides in the post-harvest period, while 84.6% assert that the preharvest moment is to avoid pesticides in post-reap. Although key questions found good answers from farmers, the quality of their knowledge is limited, shows missing information and needs reinforcement. Agrovets appear as the legal authority and act as key informants for most farmers. Most farmers rely on other farmers or agrovets-displacing the low or nonexistent contribution of agricultural extension officers. Capacity building and periodic updates for agrovets and farmers are required.

Small-scale Farmer Pesticide Knowledge and Practice and Impacts on the Environment and Human Health in Ethiopia

“…Inadequate knowledge of pesticide use and method of application reported in the present study is in agreement with other studies carried out in lowincome countries. 19,38,40,41 None of the small-scale farmers in the present study reported using biological pesticides or other IPM methods. Integrated pest management has been shown to reduce the use of pesticides and improper practices.…”

“…Similarly, Waichman et al 18 and Adjrah et al 6 reported that farming was performed by males in Brazil (97.4%) and Togo (92%), respectively. An investigation by Nguetti et al 19 also showed that 90% of farmers in Kenya were male. This numerical importance of males may be due to the hardness of the work.…”

Herbal Medicine Practice in Kenya: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward

“…Contamination with heavy metals and microbes is another frequently unrecognized deathtrap in herbal drugs. Such contamination may occur due to poor handling practices or from the quality of the soil where the plant may have grown (Nguetti et al, 2018). A comprehensive plan to assure of the quality and integrity of herbal products must, therefore, include detection of heavy metals and microbial contaminants (World Health Organization, 2011).…”

“…Just like many farming sectors in the country provide support to farmers to ensure high quality and maximum yields, farmers of medicinal plants require guidance in commercial farming of medicinal products with special attention to concerns including use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that may impact on the quality (and hence human safety) of the herbal plant. As mentioned previously, farmers need to be informed about the permitted limit of pesticides, herbicides, and other substances in the anticipated herbal product, to comply with national and international regulatory requirements (Nguetti et al, 2018).…”

Prevalence of Bacterial Wilt Disease Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in Tomatoes within Meru South Sub-County

“…Despite tomato being a major vegetable, its production in Kenya (average of 20.4 tonnes/ha) has remained below the global average (59.4 tonnes/ha) and the production by other African countries like South Africa (67.1 tonnes/ha) (FAOSTAT, 2021).Tomato farming is a popular economic activity among farmers in Kenya. The crop performs best in medium to lower zones in major tomato growing areas such as Mwea in Kirinyaga County, Ngurumani in Kajiado County and parts of Rift Valley and western regions [3]. Between 2012 and 2014, the total national production was 400,204 MT valued at Kenya shillings 11.8 billion [4].…”