Human and Environmental Health Implications of Pesticide Utilization by Market Gardeners in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Kenko, Daniel Brice Nkontcheu and Kamta, Parfait Nkontcheu (2021) Human and Environmental Health Implications of Pesticide Utilization by Market Gardeners in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology, 14 (3). pp. 44-56. ISSN 2456-690X

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Abstract

Aims: Assessment of human and environmental health implications of pesticide use by farmers in the western highlands of Cameroon, the case of Fotouni.

Study design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional

Place and Duration of Study: This work was done between November 2016 and March 2017 in Fotouni (West Region of Cameroon).

Methodology: A structured questionnaires randomly administered to 76 markets gardeners owning a farm and willing to take part in the survey.

Results: The survey revealed that secondary school was the highest level of education achieved by most of the respondents (68.4%). Farmers were aged between 19 and 63 years, the highest percentage (47.4%) being in the 31 to 40 years range. Five pesticide families were used in the study area with a predominance of insecticides. Thirty-one commercial names were recorded corresponding to 18 active ingredients. Chlorothalonil was the most used active ingredient. Beauchamp and Dimethoate were two illegally used compounds recorded. Most farmers (89%) mixed pesticide before application while others (31.6%) changed dosage per crop season. Furthermore, prescribed doses were not followed by 34.2% of respondents and 60.5% of farmers hadn’t receive any training on pesticide application. Market gardeners chose pesticides to apply mainly from information on labels (71%). Farm water was used by 92.1% of respondents for domestic purposes; 28.9% of respondents testified active pesticide poisoning while 47.4% failed to use protective equipment during application. Seven post-application symptoms were recorded, the main one being impaired vison and nausea. The farm house was the main pesticide storage site (56%). Empty sachets were poorly managed as respondents burned (42%) or buried (10%). The Restricted Entry Interval was a mystery for the majority of respondents (70%) who declared they re-entered the farms less than 24h after application.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: AP Academic Press > Geological Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@apacademicpress.com
Date Deposited: 12 Jan 2023 10:01
Last Modified: 19 Jul 2024 07:33
URI: http://info.openarchivespress.com/id/eprint/56

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