Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Pesticide Safety: A Case Study of Vegetable Farmers in Mount-Bamboutos Agricultural Area, Cameroon

Abstract

Pesticides are commonly used in Cameroon for farming purposes, especially in the Mount-Bamboutos agricultural area. This study aimed to evaluate the basic knowledge, attitude and practices among pesticide users in the said area in view of assessing the level of safety and health risks due to pesticide exposures or contaminations. Data was collected through survey study on pesticide knowledge, marketing, attitude and practices on spraying skills, toxicity, health issues, management, first aids and literacy of operators. Results revealed that both male and female were involved in agricultural practices with their ages varying from 21 to 60 years. The farmers were generally of low education level. The main crops cultivated are leafy and fruit vegetables, tubers, cereals, roots and fruits. Half the participants purchased pesticides from the neighborhood. Ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) and cypermethrin were the two main pesticides used by the farmers. Seventy percent (70%) of pesticide containers were thrown in the environment after usage. A certain portion of the sprayers (12%) did not know the existence of residues after application while, as routes of penetration up to 42% pointed the mouth as the route for pesticides into human body. Very few respondents (3%) identified the intervention hospital in case of pesticide poisoning. This study highlights poor knowledge on the use and handling of pesticides in Mount-Bamboutos agricultural area. Sensitization campaigns should be put in place, involving different stakeholders, to train farmers in pesticide risks and management.

What drives the pesticide user practices among farmers in tropical regions? A case study in Sri Lanka

“…According to Padmajani et al (2014), the intensive uses of pesticides have a direct impact on the immediate environment and human health by damaging the ecosystem. Pesticide residues can enter the food chain through contaminated soil and water and ultimately affect the human health and environment quality (Jean et al, 2019).…”

Monitoring and dietary risk assessment of 81 pesticide residues in 11 local agricultural products from the 3 largest cities of Cameroon

“…Reports show that numerous factors contributing in possible high exposure of consumers such as intensive utilisation and limited knowledge about pesticide use, are found in Cameroon. In fact, because farmers did not receive sufficient training on pesticide application and proper assistance from agricultural extension agents, inappropriate use of pesticides by Cameroonian farmers have been documented in many studies from different parts of the country (Gama, Folorunso, & Adeola, 2016;Kenko et al, 2017;Manfo et al, 2012;Nchare, 2007;Jean Sonchieu, Benoit Ngassoum, Bosco Tchatchueng, Srivastava, & Srivastava, 2010;Jean Sonchieu, Fointama, Akono, & Serri, 2019;Tandi, Wook, Shendeh, Eko, & Afoh, 2014;D. Tarla et al, 2015;Tayoh, Kiyo, & Nkemnyi, 2016).…”

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

“…The finding is consistent with López-Dávila et al (2020) Cuban farmers considered that pesticides can enter through their body via the skin, mouth, and nose, but mainly can affect their health if ingested; not when they came in contact with the skin or enter through the nose. Similarly Jean et al (2019) reported that Cameroonian farmers claimed that mouth is the most common route of pesticide; however, only 2% reported skin is to be route of pesticide entry. From the researcher point of view, farmers can realize that eyes and nose to be routs of pesticides from their health symptom during pesticide management i.e., itching of eyes and pesticide smell lead to headache and nausea.…”