Pesticide Availability and Usage by Farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana

BACKGROUND. Over and improper use of chemical pesticides can have adverse effects on the environment, human health, and social capital. OBJECTIVES. The present study investigated pesticides available in the market, as well as handling and usage of pesticides by farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana. METHODS. Cluster sampling was used to select 20 communities from the Tolon District. Simple random sampling was then used to select 5 households from each community and one farmer from each household, giving a sample size of 100 farmers. RESULTS. The survey identified 39 agrochemical shops in the Tamale Metropolis. Thirty-six different pesticides were identified on the market, mainly comprised of insecticides and herbicides. The predominant active ingredients were cypermethrin and glyphosate in insecticides and herbicides, respectively. The survey revealed 18 kinds of pesticides commonly used by the farmers on their fields, with atrazine being the most commonly used herbicide (42%) and Lambda Super 2.5 EC the most commonly used insecticide (50%). The study also revealed that 64% of the respondents disposed of their empty pesticide containers indiscriminately and 44% stored used and unused pesticides in their bedrooms. CONCLUSIONS. The mode of disposal of used pesticides containers and storage of pesticides by the respondents contribute to human health and environmental hazards. Measures to educate farmers on pesticide usage and storage to help accomplish the target of environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural production should be taken by the appropriate authorities. PARTICIPANT CONSENT. Obtained COMPETING INTERESTS. The authors declare no competing financial interests.