Pesticide Use Practices and Effects on Crop Yield, Human Health and the Environment in Selected Areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Pesticides are crucial part of agriculture and human health irrespective of their potential risks. The aim of this study is to assess the practices of pesticide uses, benefits, and effects on human health and the environment using survey data collected from 775 farm household in selected areas of Ethiopia. The data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency tables, and OLS regressions. The results show that about 99% of the households surveyed use at least one type of chemical pesticides, while 89%, 93%, 84%, and 15% use specific pesticides, respectively, for the control of weeds, fungi, insects, and rodents in the production of different crops. A substantial number of farmers also use traditional practices and new crop varieties as pest control methods. Conversely, 64% of the respondents perceived some kind of negative effects (poisoning or contamination) to humans, animals, or the environment by the chemical pesticides they have used on their farms. Pesticides are sprayed mostly by male household heads (65%) and sons (21%), who do not take a necessary precaution to reduce chemical hazards despite the partly available training (for 46% households) and extension services (63%). About 44% of the households dispose of expired pesticides on the soil, and 64% either spray on the soil or bury the leftover chemicals. Nevertheless, about 74% claimed that they know how to handle the pesticides; and nearly 90% of the households store the pesticides in places where children cannot access them. The OLS estimation results indicated that households who applied herbicides two times on wheat fields have obtained significantly higher yields (1.6 t/ha) than those who have not used herbicides for wheat production. In addition, those who applied fungicides once, twice, and three times have obtained about 1.4, 1.0, and 1.2 (t/ha) higher wheat yields than those who didn’t use fungicides. Yet, herbicide application frequencies on teff farms have no statistically significant effect on teff yields. Most of the surveyed households have apparently benefited and satisfied with pesticide uses. However, it is imperative to focus on safety measures and management options to reduce the perceived pesticide risks. Establishing consulting service providers and the use of trained workers for spraying could reduce the negative effects of pesticides on human and animal health, and the environment. Furthermore, the traditional (non-chemical) pest control methods in practice among farmers should also be encouraged and promoted. Nevertheless, we suggest further quantification of health and environmental risks.