Pesticide use, management practices and perceived effects on the health of cocoa farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pesticide poisoning is a leading occupational and public health concern among farmers in Nigeria. Nevertheless, with the country’s rising population coupled with fluctuations in climatic conditions that favor frequent pest and disease outbreaks, the demand for pesticides has been on the increase to enhance food production and quality, thereby ensuring food security. Cross River State is the second largest cocoa producing state in the country with many small scale farmers involved in cocoa production. In spite of researches carried out on agrochemical use in Nigeria, little is known about pesticide use in Cross River State. This study was, therefore, aimed at documenting pesticide use, management practices and perceived effects on cocoa farmers’ health in Cross River State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to survey 150 cocoa farmers in the State. A set of structured questionnaires was used to elicit information from farmers. The instrument focused on farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, major pesticides used, pesticide management practices, and perceived pesticide effects on health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that the majority (71.3%) of farmers was male with most (60.7%) having farming experience of ten years and above, implying that cocoa production is dominated by men. Pesticides used in the study area were: herbicides such as clear weed (58%), insecticides such as Actara 25WG (98%) and Dursban 48EC (96%), inferring that more insecticides than herbicides were used by farmers. Pesticide management practices such as “use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and reading manufacturers’ instructions before pesticide application” were practiced by 26% and 38% of respondents, respectively. Cough (MS=4.03), shortness of breath (MS=3.96), skin itching (MS=3.87), dizziness (MS=3.78) and sneezing (MS=3.78) were the severely perceived pesticide related sicknesses reported by farmers. The study recommended that agricultural extension advisory services should lay more emphasis on pesticide risk awareness and attitudinal change among farmers.