Use of pesticides and risk perception of environmental contamination by farmers surrounding the Menoua River (West Cameroon).
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| Title: | Use of pesticides and risk perception of environmental contamination by farmers surrounding the Menoua River (West Cameroon). |
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| Authors: | Tache, Jose Innoncent Tamdjo1 (AUTHOR) tacheinno20@gmail.com, Fai, Patricia Bi Asanga1,2 (AUTHOR), Tamungang, Simon Awafor1,2 (AUTHOR), Riegert, Jan3 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Integrated Environmental Assessment & Management. Nov2023, Vol. 19 Issue 6, p1600-1608. 9p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Pesticides, *Environmental risk, *Agricultural pests, Geographical perception, Risk perception, Education of farmers |
| Geographic Terms: | Cameroon |
| Abstract: | Cameroonian farmers regularly use pesticides in farming to control pests, particularly along the riverbank of the Santchou agricultural area. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of farmers in West Cameroon (Santchou area) regarding the contamination risk in aquatic environments from the use of pesticides. A cross‐sectional study via questionnaires was conducted among 150 selected farmers who cultivated fields along the banks of the Menoua River. Almost all the farmers (90%) used pesticides regularly, particularly herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides to combat pests. The main pesticides used were glyphosate, paraquat, dieldrin, chlorpyrifos‐ethyl, copper oxide, and mancozeb. Farmers who cultivated larger areas of land or who had mixed culture crops tended to use pesticides more often (p < 0.001). The use of river water by farmers was correlated with pesticide use (p = 0.010). Most of the pesticide users (90%) did not use protective equipment when spraying the crops. The farmers' perceptions of the risk of pesticide contamination of the river water (p = 0.002) or fish (p = 0.008) did not influence their actions. A correlation was found among pesticide users who believed that there was a risk of river contamination (45%) or fish contamination (42%) and intensive pesticide application during the rainy season (61%) or non‐respect of the prescribed pesticide application doses (51%; p = 0.002). Farmers who regularly or occasionally consumed fish used pesticides more often than those who did not consume fish from the river. The findings of this study emphasize the need for education of farmers in Santchou to prevent the risk of environmental contamination and health hazards from increased dietary and/or dermal pesticide exposure. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1600–1608. © 2023 SETAC Key Points: Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) are widely used by farmers around the Menoua River (Cameroon); however, excessive use of pesticides cannot be accepted or encouraged because of their potential to harm human health and reduce biodiversity within the environment.There was a discordance between the farmers' perception of environmental and health risks of the pesticides and their attitudes toward self‐protection as well as environmental protection.A small proportion of farmers recognized that the river and fish can be contaminated by pesticides, but many do not share this idea, and others have no idea about contamination of the river and fish by pesticides.The main advisers to the farmers are sellers. These farmers do not adhere strictly to the prescribed dose of pesticides; they usually use river water to mix the pesticides for spraying their crops and neglect protective measures when spraying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Abstract: | Cameroonian farmers regularly use pesticides in farming to control pests, particularly along the riverbank of the Santchou agricultural area. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of farmers in West Cameroon (Santchou area) regarding the contamination risk in aquatic environments from the use of pesticides. A cross‐sectional study via questionnaires was conducted among 150 selected farmers who cultivated fields along the banks of the Menoua River. Almost all the farmers (90%) used pesticides regularly, particularly herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides to combat pests. The main pesticides used were glyphosate, paraquat, dieldrin, chlorpyrifos‐ethyl, copper oxide, and mancozeb. Farmers who cultivated larger areas of land or who had mixed culture crops tended to use pesticides more often (p < 0.001). The use of river water by farmers was correlated with pesticide use (p = 0.010). Most of the pesticide users (90%) did not use protective equipment when spraying the crops. The farmers' perceptions of the risk of pesticide contamination of the river water (p = 0.002) or fish (p = 0.008) did not influence their actions. A correlation was found among pesticide users who believed that there was a risk of river contamination (45%) or fish contamination (42%) and intensive pesticide application during the rainy season (61%) or non‐respect of the prescribed pesticide application doses (51%; p = 0.002). Farmers who regularly or occasionally consumed fish used pesticides more often than those who did not consume fish from the river. The findings of this study emphasize the need for education of farmers in Santchou to prevent the risk of environmental contamination and health hazards from increased dietary and/or dermal pesticide exposure. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1600–1608. © 2023 SETAC Key Points: Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) are widely used by farmers around the Menoua River (Cameroon); however, excessive use of pesticides cannot be accepted or encouraged because of their potential to harm human health and reduce biodiversity within the environment.There was a discordance between the farmers' perception of environmental and health risks of the pesticides and their attitudes toward self‐protection as well as environmental protection.A small proportion of farmers recognized that the river and fish can be contaminated by pesticides, but many do not share this idea, and others have no idea about contamination of the river and fish by pesticides.The main advisers to the farmers are sellers. These farmers do not adhere strictly to the prescribed dose of pesticides; they usually use river water to mix the pesticides for spraying their crops and neglect protective measures when spraying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 15513777 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/ieam.4745 |
