Agrotechnology

Pesticide safety among Ugandas smallholder farmers

5^th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

June 27-29, 2016 Cape Town, South Africa

Aggrey Atuhaire

UNACOH, Uganda

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

Agriculture sector constitutes the backbone of a majority of African economies. Increased cultivation and livestock production have encouraged the rise in pest populations and epidemics. Farmers, through search for pest control mechanisms and the reestablishment of the production potential of land have responded by using agrochemicals. Even though average pesticide use per hectare of cultivated land in Africa is very low compared with other developing countries, hazards arising from the toxicity of the compounds used and widespread and serious shortcomings in handling practices must not be ignored. A 2015 UNACOH survey amongst 175 smallholder farmers from central and eastern regions of the country revealed that 76% of them were using moderately hazardous pesticides (WHO Class II). In terms of knowledge majority (84.1%) mentioned use of personal protective clothing as the most important precaution to safeguard against pesticide exposure, and gum boots (80.7%) was mentioned as most popular PPE component. In terms of practice, expiry date is the issue that majority (33%) are concerned about when buying pesticides, majority store pesticides in the same house where they sleep, 16.5% report to blow with their mouths in a clogged nozzle, gumboots were the most (65.9%) worn PPE although the practice proportion fell short compared to knowledge (80.7%). Some farmers reported to be using polythene bags and handkerchiefs as perfect substitutes for hand gloves and nose mask respectively. Farmers further reported experiencing the following symptoms shortly after working with pesticides; skin irritation (40.2%), blurred vision (10.2%), nausea (8.7%), dizziness (8.3%), and headache (7.1%).

Biography :

Email: atuagrey3@gmail.com