Use of Chemical Pesticides in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Farmers and Farm Workers in Three Farming Systems

Abstract

Chemical pesticides, regardless of their inherent hazard, are used intensively in the fast changing agricultural sector of Ethiopia. We conducted a cross-sectional pesticide Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey among 601 farmers and farm workers (applicators and re-entry workers) in three farming systems [large-scale closed greenhouses (LSGH), large-scale open farms (LSOF), and small-scale irrigated farms (SSIF)]. Main observations were that 85% of workers did not attain any pesticide-related training, 81% were not aware of modern alternatives for chemical pesticides, 10% used a full set of personal protective equipment, and 62% did not usually bath or shower after work. Among applicators pesticide training attendance was highest in LSGH (35%) and was lowest in SSIF (4%). None of the female re-entry farm workers had received pesticide-related training. Personal protective equipment use was twice as high among pesticide applicators as among re-entry workers (13 versus 7%), while none of the small-scale farm workers used personal protection equipment. Stockpiling and burial of empty pesticide containers and discarding empty pesticide containers in farming fields were reported in both LSOF and by 75% of the farm workers in SSIF. Considerable increment in chemical pesticide usage intensity, illegitimate usages of DDT and Endosulfan on food crops and direct import of pesticides without the formal Ethiopian registration process were also indicated. These results point out a general lack of training and knowledge regarding the safe use of pesticides in all farming systems but especially among small-scale farmers. This in combination with the increase in chemical pesticide usage in the past decade likely results in occupational and environmental health risks. Improved KAP that account for institutional difference among various farming systems and enforcement of regulatory measures including the available occupational and environmental proclamations in Ethiopia are urgently needed.

Environmental governance of pesticides in Ethiopian vegetable and cut flower production

“…There is a large amount of case study research conducted on knowledge, attitudes, perception and unsafe use of pesticides among farmers in Africa (Williamson, 2008(Williamson, , 2011Damite & Tabor, 2015;Negatu et al, 2016;PAN Africa, 2008), Asia (Hoi et al, 2010(Hoi et al, , 2013Jin et al, 2015;Panuwet et al, 2012) and Latin America (Jansen, 2003(Jansen, , 2008Rios-Gonzalez et al, 2013). However, none of these studies applied a sector governance analysis approach for making the use of pesticides visible through and across registration, importation, distribution, use and interaction of the three key pesticide actors (state (regulator), traders (business) and users (farmers)).…”

“…Scenarios for the future use of seven selected pesticides indicated that agricultural use of chlorothalonil, deltamethrin, endosulfan and malathion in some crops may result in medium to high risks to aquatic species in the Ethiopian context (Teklu et al, 2015). In addition, Negatu et al (2016) report a large increase in pesticide usage intensity, illegitimate usages of DDT and Endosulfan on food crops and direct import of pesticides without passing through the formal Ethiopian registration process. Moreover, Gebremichael et al (2013) report the presence of DDT from their analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues in human and cow's milk in Southwestern Ethiopia.…”

“…In addition, while the Ethiopian population is becoming increasingly concerned about the adverse long-term effects of pesticides on the environment and on the health of workers and consumers, little scientific research has been conducted to address these issues (Abate et al, 2000;Daba et al, 2011;Sahle & Potting, 2013;Debele, 2014;Mekonen et al, 2014;Teklu et al, 2015;Negatu et al, 2016 African stockpiles). These projects and studies have produced a huge number of reports related to the status quo as well as to potential improvement strategies for pesticide use in horticulture production in Ethiopia.…”

Environmental risk assessment of pesticides in Ethiopia : a case of surface water systems

“…However, pesticide use practices by small-scale farmers in Ethiopia often violate recommendations like the use of safe storage facilities, complying with health and safety instructions, using protective devices when applying pesticides, and safe disposal of pesticide containers (Negatu et al, 2016;Mengistie et al, 2016). Similarly, large-scale production agriculture, including the horticultural and flower farms, also fails to adhere to international safety standards for the environmental and for workers (Mengistie et al, 2014).…”

“…In addition to the present PhD project, two more PhD projects have been initiated under this programme. One focusses on environmental policy and governance issues associated with pesticides in Ethiopia (Mengistie et al, 2014; while the other focuses on the overall health impacts of pesticides in Ethiopia (Negatu et al, 2016). A general description of the PRRP programme is provided in the Introduction to this thesis, and on (http://www.prrp-ethiopia.org/).…”