Investigation on Pesticide “Cocktail” Mixture usage among Rice Farmers in the Kadjebi District of Ghana

Abstract

Pesticide “cocktail” mixtures are described as global phenomenon especially among farmers despite potential disadvantages. This study aimed to investigate the presence of the practice among rice farmers in the Kadjebi district in the Volta region of Ghana. The study involved a descriptive survey of rice farmers in the district using structured questionnaires. A total of 200 farmers from 8 communities were interviewed, out of which 195 questionnaires were found good enough for analyses.  Data from the study was analysed using SPSS version 16 and the results expressed in simple descriptive statistics including frequency counts, percentages etc.

It was realised that herbicides were the only pesticides used by the farmers on their fields and it was mainly for land preparation and weed control among plants. As much as 13 brands of herbicides were used among the farmers. It was also realised that mixing pesticides into pesticide “cocktail” mixtures was common among the farmers with about three-quarters of the farmers (73.8%) involved participating in the act. It is recommended that the potential health and environmental effects of the practices of the farmers be assessed.

KEY WORDS: Pesticides, herbicides, pesticides “cocktail” mixture, rice farmers