Potential Environmental and Health Impact of Pesticides Use and Safety Measures Adopted by Cocoa Farmers in Akyemansa District in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Pesticides are used in agriculture to control pests and diseases which affect crops and farm animals, and hence to increase yield.  Pesticides are used by most farmers in the production of cocoa in Ghana. However, the improper use of pesticides can adversely affect the environment and human health. This study was conducted to assess the likely environmental and human health impact of the different pesticides used, and the safety measures adopted during pesticide application by cocoa farmers in the Akyemansa District, Ghana. Data were collected from 250 randomly selected farmers using interviews, field observations and focus group discussions on the pesticides used by the cocoa farmers, the safety measures adopted and the time of application. The total Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) values of the different pesticides used were determined, and were used to compare their likely impact on the environment and human health. Demographic data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software package. Results from this study showed that, the farmers used 24 pesticides, out of which 10 (41.6%) were insecticides, 8 (33.3%) were herbicides, and 6 (25%) were fungicides. The total EIQ values of the different pesticides used ranged between 55.58 and 15.33.  130 (52%) of the respondents did not use Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs). Also, 145 (58%) respondents applied the pesticides and waited for some days before harvesting the cocoa. Over half, 156 (62.4%) of the respondents ate their meal before the application of pesticides, 70 (28%) ate their meals when they finished spraying after either washing their hands with water and soap or water only. But the rest stopped the spraying, ate their meals and continued. Cocoa farmers in Akyemansa mostly used insecticides to control pests and diseases and also adopted both safe and unsafe measures during pesticide application. Chlorfenvinphos, an insecticide had the highest total EIQ value (55.58), while Glyphosate, a herbicide had the lowest value (15.33). Bifenthrin (Akate master) and Imidacloprid (Confidor), moderately hazardous insecticides were most likely to impact negatively on the environment and human health.

Keywords: Pesticides, Environmental Impact Quotient, Health, Safety, Cocoa.