Environmental and Health Impacts Associated with Usage of Agrochemicals in Mindu Dam Catchment Area, Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

A field based study was conducted during 2004 – 2006 to assess the environmental, human and animal health risks associated with usage of agrochemicals in Mindu dam catchment area (MDCA), in Morogoro,  Tanzania. Heads of 268 households were interviewed using a questionnaire with structured and semi-structured questions. Fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides were the most commonly used agrochemicals in tomato  production, which was the main crop cultivated. Endosulfan was the only organochlorine pesticide used in vegetable production. The majority of the farmers purchased agrochemicals that were repacked in unlabelled  non-original containers, which were later reused for domestic purposes. About 73% of the farmers applied agrochemicals without protective gears. High risk groups to agrochemical exposure in the area were men, retailers and children. Farmers’ perceived impacts of agrochemical usage included getting sick, deaths of people and animals and environmental pollution. Information obtained from this study was used to identify appropriate foci and target groups for interventions to reduce the health risks associated with the usage of agrochemicals in the area. This assessment identified three foci and target groups for interventions: training of farmers on good agricultural practices, strengthening agricultural extension services, and reinforcing regulatory services.

Key words: aquatic environment, fertilizers, humans, pollution, pesticides