Pesticide Application Practices and Knowledge among Small-Scale Local Rice Growers and Communities in Rwanda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Agriculture contributes a third of Rwanda’s GDP and is the main source of income for rural households, with 80% of the total population involved in crop and/or livestock production. The Government of Rwanda established the Muvumba rice project in 2011 amidst a policy shift towards rice as a national staple crop. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides by local, low-income rice growers has raised concerns about potential human, animal and ecosystem health impacts as pesticide distribution and application are not strictly regulated. Although pesticide use can directly influence farmer health and ecosystems, little is known about small-scale farmers’ pesticide application practices and knowledge. We aimed to assess local application practices and understanding of pesticides to identify gaps in farmers’ knowledge on safe pesticide use and deviations from established standards and recommended practices. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of observations of pesticide practices and interviews with 206 small-scale rice growers in Nyagatare District, Rwanda, in March 2017. Descriptive statistical analyses (sample means, standard deviation and range) were performed, and we evaluated the association between farmers’ personal protective equipment (PPE) use and their education level and literacy status. Results: Over 95% of observed farmers did not comply with minimum standards for safe pesticide use, and 80% of respondents reported that they stored pesticides in their homes without personal protection measures. Education and literacy level were not significantly associated with PPE use. Additionally, 90% of respondents had experienced adverse health effects after using pesticides including intense headache, dizziness, stomach cramps, skin pain and itching, and respiratory distress. All respondents also reported animals in and around the rice scheme (cattle, birds, and fish) behaving abnormally or with signs consistent with pesticide exposure in the six months preceding the study, which may be linked to pesticide-contaminated water. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates potential for high exposure to pesticides for farmers, their families, and animals sharing rice-growing or downstream environments and points to the need for training on safe and effective pesticide use.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Farmers on Pesticide Use and Their Impacts on the Environment and Human Health From Small Scale Vegetable Farming Along the Littoral of Lake Ziway, Ethiopia

“…According to Khanal and Singh [37] not considering the wind direction cause uncertainties such as bad odor, unable to spray-on targeted crop, trouble in spraying as well as di culty in inhalation by the person spraying the pesticides. The inadequate knowledge of the pesticide use and methods of the application procedure for this study is in agreement with other studies done in low-income countries [17,36,38,39].…”

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

“…3 Numerous studies in Africa have shown misuse and improper handling of pesticides and poor knowledge of pesticides among farmers in general. 5,6,7,8 This lack of awareness of proper pesticide management practices poses a risk to human health and the environment.…”

Do farmers perceive risks of fraudulent pesticides? Evidence from Saudi Arabia

“…Despite the fact that several studies have been undertaken to investigate farmers' perception and awareness of pesticide use management and safety measures [17,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30], very few studies have assessed the perception of fraudulent pesticides and its determinants among farmers, in particular, in the context of Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, there is a research gap in terms of farmers' perception level of different risk facets of fraudulent pesticides and factors influencing this perception.…”