Home Institution

Duke University, University of Redlands

Publication Date

Fall 2010

Program Name

Tanzania-Zanzibar: Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management

Abstract

Use and awareness of pesticides by 301 farmers on Pemba Island, Tanzania, were surveyed, in order to assess practices and perceptions of pesticide use. Surveys were conducted in both peri-urban farms and rural farms, which were either irrigated or rain-fed. Results showed that while the overwhelming majority of farmers on irrigated fields used pesticides frequently, farmers located in rain-fed irrigation largely farmed without pesticides. Likewise, peri-urban farmers made use of pesticides far more than rural farmers. Of the farmers who did use pesticides, an average of Tsh 17,219 was spent annually on Rogol, Satunil, Dimethoate, Simithion, Thionex and Dursban. Most of these farmers also reported a lack of protective gear during application, often resulting in health problems. When choosing a pesticide for their crops, farmers indicated that effectiveness, cost and availability, respectively, were the most important factors. Many of the farmers currently not using pesticides indicated that this was due to monetary constraints, and would employ pesticides if able. Nearly half of all farmers surveyed had not had any training or education regarding appropriate use and safety of pesticides. Based on survey results, this study developed an appropriate, accessible pesticide education campaign including posters and field seminars to help educate the farmers on the serious risks that pesticides pose to both human health and the environment, and to encourage proper application in order to minimize such negative effects.

Disciplines

Environmental Health | Environmental Monitoring

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