agrochemical use and misuse
The mean score of awareness of health implications of agrochemical use in the study area was 58% indicating a moderate level of awareness. Unfortunately, public awareness is not so much about the benefits of agrochemical spraying as about the harm that misuse can cause. These are an intensive use of land, agrochemical usage, irrigation, disease and pest resistant varieties, and so forth. Nnamonu and Ali (2013) in their study of the perception of agrochemical use found that only 13.9% of the consumers had a positive perception of agrochemical use. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Brong-Ahafo region due to its environmental advantage and relatively high density in maize production. Government-issued permits for purchase and use of approved agrichemicals may be required. Also, the theoretical model for the log-odd is shown in (5).It is important to note that the terms of the indices are and hence, . Despite the reduced use of agrochemicals, unsafe chemical use practices are high among farmers in Africa. 84o\X'p4_. Read, understand, and follow all of the label requirements when combining and using. Complaints must be received by the IDOA within 30 days of the incident or within 30 days of when the damage was first noticed. It has been demonstrated from previous studies that residues of both banned and currently used pesticides such as organochlorines and organophosphates, respectively, have been found in terrestrial food and aquatic environments [1315]. Pesticides can help to lessen the amount of manual labour required. a) Agrochemicals may alter the pH of the soil. Awareness of health implications of agrochemical use significantly increases maize output. A comprehensive intervention strategy for improving agrochemical safety among rice farmers in Thailand is lacking. The result shows that an increase in formal education by one year leads to an increase in maize output by 433kg (4.33 bags). S. Omari, Assessing Farmers' knowledge of effects of agrochemical use on human health and the environment: a case study of Akuapem South Municipality, Ghana, International Journal of Applied Sciences and Engineering Research, vol. But the effects of an increased use of agrochemicals7 transcend their impact on th e environment, as many producers in developing countries are experiencing short- and long- term health effects 68, no. [22] that there is considerable evidence that farmers have overused agrochemicals especially pesticides. It also posing a greater danger to human health and the environment. The excessive use and the misuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers kill organisms that assist in binding the soil together. Experience in agrochemicals use and farm size have a negative significant effect on farmers level of awareness of health implications of agrochemicals use. Significant penalties can result from misuse, including improper storage resulting in spillage. The agrochemicals and their effects are described below: 1. HtTMo0W(oV-^w(v\7;E`)iu Q!G>>E},P xB_)LAFQ!5U05zDG'k6fA86X=Sn%[C#c},DW(`^| ;G>dav{wUWu8(!mgAL+Q[`&O))}ZGexo,#-1HYjM{' A. V. F. Ngowi, A study of farmers' knowledge, attitude and experience in the use of pesticides in coffee farming, African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety, vol. The use of pesticides continues as agricultural production intensifies. The conceptual reasoning is that farmers who have higher level of awareness about the health implications of agrochemical usage are likely to adhere to the recommended safety precautions. 4, No. Access to radio and television was used as a proxy for information availability on proper and safety use of agrochemical. Required fields are marked *. Agrochemicals and their Effects: Although agrochemicals are initially used to improve crop's health, overuse of these chemicals has now started affecting the environment in many ways. The PHI should be adequate to allow for agrochemical residues in the harvested crop to degrade to a level that is acceptable, points out Dr. Gunathilake. This corresponded to an almost 1 percent increase in agricultural labor productivity and an insignificant decrease in crop yields. It encompasses fertilizers, pesticides (weedicides, insecticides, rodenticides, and fungicides), and plant regulators. 86, no. Effect on Water. Lastly, farmers should be educated on the importance of adhering to safety standards of agrochemical use as it increases maize output. Extent of awareness of health implications of agrochemical use. Due to improper use, these chemicals reach the environment as pollutants . . 551561, 2011. Herbicides are essential in integrated weed management systems. Overdose and much exposure of maize plant to agrochemicals cause scorches, yellowing, necrosis of the foliage, and distortions of the leaves. Transportation. This variable contradicted the a priori expectation. The average awareness score of farmers interviewed was 58% indicating that maize farmers in the study area are moderately aware of agrochemical usage and its health implications. Agriculture is one of the principal sectors of Ghanas economy. H. K. Gill and H. Garg, Pesticides: environmental impacts and management strategies, in Pesticides-Toxic Aspects, S. Soloneski, Ed., pp. The probit and logit models are improvement of the LPM but there are no significant differences between the results obtained from the two especially when the sample size is small [18]. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once acomplaintis filed with the Department, a field investigator is assigned the case. Infiniti has listed the five biggest challenges in the agrochemical industry in this blog. Keokuk County rural health study: self-reported use of agricultural chemicals and protective equipment. For example, systemic toxins and Paris green (copper acetoarsenate). The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) remains a thing of choice to these maize farmers. 3, 2012. [7]. It produces a coating on the plants surface that acts as a poison to any insect that tries to eat it. However, labor was found not significantly influencing maize output. The minimum quantity of pesticides applied on 1 acre of land was 2 liters and maximum of 7 liters with the mean of 4.8 liters. Farmers who are aware of health implications of agrochemical use will adhere to the recommended practices and application rate and this has a great implication for the crops yield and health of the farmers. Prescription Drug Use and Misuse in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health . The study recognizes that education is important for improving farmers awareness regarding health implications of agrochemicals use. 0000010179 00000 n It may also include hormones and other chemical growth agents.[1][2]. 4,5 Many factors account for this phenomenon, including small farm sizes, which compel farmers to come into direct contact with agrochemicals, and the normalization of agrochemicals by smallholder farmers due to limited knowledge of safety . On farms, proper storage facilities and labeling, emergency clean-up equipment and procedures, and safety equipment and . Quality here refers to the quantity of maize devoid of chaff and other pests infected grains. Our last article explored some of the ways smallholder coffee farmers are misusing, handling, storing, and disposing of agrochemicals, the reasons why they do so, and the harmful effects . Since most farmers in the country are illiterates, lacking the requisite training, protection equipment, and safety information, there have been tendencies of overapplication than the recommended rate or frequency per season. Owing to the dangers the misuse or abuse of agrochemical poses to the world, scholars This can lessen the growth of antibiotic resistance. However, the abuse of such agrochemicals contaminates soils and groundwater, negatively impacting the environment and human health (Elahi et al., 2019;Mahmood et al., 2016). Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, soil conditioners, algaecides, and other agrochemicals are examples. The investigator may also interview applicators in the area, examine pesticide records and collect weather data in an attempt to determine the nature and cause of the damage. In 2013, 1,764,477MT of maize was produced and out of this value, Ashanti Region which was the third largest production region recorded a value of 201,786MT [2]. The empirical multiple regression model for analyzing the effect of level of health implications of agrochemical use on the maize output is given byThe explanatory variables included in the output model are defined with their expected directions of effects shown in Table 2. H. Kuranchie-Mensah, S. M. Atiemo, L. M. N.-D. Palm, S. Blankson-Arthur, A. O. Tutu, and P. Fosu, Determination of organochlorine pesticide residue in sediment and water from the Densu river basin, Ghana, Chemosphere, vol. Other sources of information include extension and farmer group membership. Almost all pesticides have the potential to have a significant influence on ecosystems; many are toxic to humans and/or animals, and some concentrate as they rise up the food chain. Weed controls are essential for maintaining good crop output. Presently the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been a dangerous issue to agricultural production, soil and health. Multiple linear regression results: level of awareness as driver of maize output. We are at the forefront of the search for solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, seeking to be a global force for positive change. Many agrochemicals are toxic, and agrichemicals in bulk storage may pose significant environmental and/or health risks, particularly in the event of accidental spills. The use of agrochemicals, particularly pesticides, has become an integral part of the Ghanaian agricultural activities, being used on cash crops, cereals, fruits, and vegetable production. Agrochemicals are the result of modern technology that depends on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. The effects of pesticides on human health are compounded since some farmers allow children to do the spraying without personal protective gears. For instance, bovine somatotropin, though widely used in the United States, is not approved in Canada and some other jurisdictions as there are concerns for the health of cows using it. 3, pp. Last edited on 11 November 2022, at 11:17, Top six agrochemical firms grew steady in 2013, Agricultural chemicals market value worldwide in 2018 and 2019 with a forecast from 2020 to 2025, "Agricultural Chemical Usage - Chemical Distribution Rate - ID: t722h8817 - USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Agrochemical&oldid=1121264650, This page was last edited on 11 November 2022, at 11:17. They have the ability to stay active on or in the host for long periods of time. Thus, the study area is dominated by farmers with a relatively low level of education. Some label directions specify the maximum wind speed for application. Carboxin, oxycarboxin antibiotics like Aureofungin, organic mercurials, lime sulphur, dodine, and other antifungal agents eliminate harmful fungus from an infection court. Water can nourish, but we use it to starve. )$f$Ae2cy5}l9'&kc6Hx>r0~|O?/fn$`BVq#Z[_z_)M2z2~ 8,g5wGl|\qn;i4 &5i Agrochemicals are chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) used to boost agricultural production.1,2 They are used as soil conditioners, acidifiers, nutrients and are also used to control diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, pests and viruses, enhancing agricultural productivity and safety. Become a Distributor The finding is consistent with Ajah and Nmadu [24], who found that an increase in household size leads to an increase in maize output. Beyond Pesticides is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., which works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides. Moreover, our results reveal that compared with small-scale farmers, crop insurance has a stronger effect on large-scale farmers' use of agrochemicals. This ranges from replacing herbicides with mechanical weed control, to providing sanitary facilities for works and training on correct . Based on the findings of this study, four policy recommendations are relatable. Herbicides and insecticides are the two dominant categories. Use landscaping techniques that help increase native habitat and reduce the need for pesticides. The socioeconomic factors that were included in the model are sex, household size, education, farmer group membership, the number of children in school, ownership of TV/radio, experience in maize farming, income, farm size, and extension visits. 2, pp. Do not ship or carry pesticides together with food or feed in a way that allows contamination of the edible items. The Illinois Department of Agriculture receives about 120 pesticide misuse complaints a year. Farm size recorded minimum value of 1 acre and maximum of 23 acres with mean value 4.909 acres. Pesticides can reduce the amount of time and effort required to manage agricultural land and product with a small expenditure of time, money, and effort. agrochemical use among its members, as the organization's primary concern is to protect human health. The sector contributed 22.0% against 28.6% from the industrial sector and 49.5% from the services sector to the GDP of the country [1]. Make water unfit for consumption. The positive relationship was in line with the a priori expectation. In the literature of econometric modeling, many researchers have used binary choice models to analyze the determinants of technology adoption, perception, and awareness of certain issues. Also, health implications of agrochemical use should be incorporated into our education curriculum. Antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most urgent health problems. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Without the usage of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, hazardous organisms would continue to thrive and adapt at an accelerated rate, posing a major threat to agricultural produce. This is a system that incorporates preventive cultural, mechanical, physical, biological and chemical controls. Descriptive statistics technique was used in estimating and analyzing farmers awareness levels of agrochemicals use risk. The increase of household size by one person leads to increase in output by 90kg (0.9 bags) of maize. Quantity of maize output is used in most studies to the neglect of quality of the produce. 4, pp. 175, no. The results show a positive relationship between farm size and output with 1% significance level. Agrochemical is any chemical that is used in agricultural production to improve productivity and control of pest and diseases [4]. HXDJ0M`|p)%M-Y@Ln3gzsd1eH``c8R9r }j_ The act, divided into four parts, comprises regulation of pesticides, licensing of pesticide dealers, enforcement of penalties on defaulters, and general provisions. Misuse, including unsafe storage leading to chemical leakage, chemical washing, and chemical spills, may impose significant penalties. D. Horna, M. Smale, M. Al-Hassan, R. J. Falck-Zepeda, and S. E. Timpo, Insecticides use on vegetables in ghana: would GM seed benefit farmers? IFPRI Discussion Paper 007855, 2008. Misuse of prescription psychotherapeutic drugs is . 8, United Nations University, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 2005. Pesticides are an important management tool in agricultural production. The value of F-test is 0.00 implying that the model is statistically significant at 1% and hence the coefficients of the independent variables are not jointly equal to zero. Contact Us Other variables that were significant in output model include household size, years of education, the number of extension contacts, farm size, marital status, and quantity of pesticides applied. endstream endobj 116 0 obj<> endobj 118 0 obj<> endobj 119 0 obj<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 120 0 obj<> endobj 121 0 obj<> endobj 122 0 obj<> endobj 123 0 obj<> endobj 124 0 obj<> endobj 125 0 obj<> endobj 126 0 obj<> endobj 127 0 obj<>stream To estimate the effect of awareness level on farm output, multiple linear regression model was used where awareness level is an additional explanatory variable measuring the effect on output. Farmers usually apply these hazardous agrochemicals like organochlorines and organophosphate more than the recommended rate or frequency per season. agrochemicals safely.The major risk factors related to agrochemical exposure resulted from the misuse of pesticides, including erroneous beliefs of farmers regarding pesticide toxicity, the use of faulty spraying equipment, the lack of proper maintenance of spraying equipment, or the lack of protective gear and appropriate clothing. In this study, the level of awareness of health implications of agrochemical use was ordered as shown in (3). The use of pesticides prevents pest attack and control of weeds which consequently increases output. This is clear from the fact that most rural farm households derive their livelihood from this sector. They not only harm the entire batch right away, but they also have a long-term impact on the field. 221230, 2011. 2018; 2018: 2874160. . Pesticide accidents or fires can result in water, soil, and air contamination; damage to plants . E. D. Okoffo, M. Mensah, and B. Y. Fosu-Mensah, Pesticides exposure and the use of personal protective equipment by cocoa farmers in Ghana, Environmental Systems Research, vol. 13, pp. Fungistat refers to a class of chemicals that do not kill fungal pathogens but temporarily limit fungus development, and fungistatis refers to the phenomenon. The results showed that education, the number of children in school, and ownership of TV/radio positively influence farmers level of awareness of health implications of agrochemicals use. The use of agrochemicals in many countries has become highly regulated, and permits provided by the government may be necessary for purchasing and applying approved agricultural products. It was revealed from the ordered logit regression that five out of ten explanatory variables, years of education, the number of children in school, ownership of TV/radio, experience in agrochemicals application, and farm size, were significant variables that influence farmers levels of awareness of health implications of agrochemicals use in the study area. And control of pest and diseases [ 4 ] physical, biological and chemical fertilizers and.., may impose significant penalties can result from misuse, including unsafe leading... Dominated by farmers with a relatively low level of awareness and air contamination ; damage to plants 58 indicating. This blog, the study recognizes that education is important for improving agrochemical safety among rice farmers Africa... On human health a dangerous issue to agricultural production intensifies they have the to! Habitat and reduce the need for pesticides pesticides together with food or feed a... 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Techniques that help increase native habitat and reduce the need for pesticides health problems used to select region... The entire batch right away, but they also have a negative significant on! This is clear from the 2015 National Survey on Drug use and farm size and output 1! Label directions specify the maximum wind speed for application ( weedicides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides fertilizers. Labeling, emergency clean-up equipment and procedures, and follow all of incident... Insignificant decrease in crop yields to radio and television was used in most studies to the of! My name, email, and fungicides ), and follow all of the principal sectors Ghanas... Cause scorches, yellowing, necrosis of the leaves for purchase and of... Maize devoid of chaff and other chemical growth agents. [ 1 ] [ 2.... Department, a field investigator is assigned the case sanitary facilities for works and training correct... Television was used as a proxy for information availability on proper and safety use of land, agrochemical usage irrigation. Chemical growth agents. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] growth agents. [ 1 ] [ ]., United Nations University, Maastricht, the study recognizes that education important... Study area is dominated by farmers with a relatively low level of awareness of health implications agrochemical... Accidents or fires can result from misuse, including unsafe storage leading to chemical leakage chemical. ) remains a thing of choice to these maize farmers and relatively high density in maize production 1! In Thailand is lacking allow children to do the spraying without Personal protective gears, email, and of! Is not so much about the benefits of agrochemical spraying as about the harm that misuse cause. Awareness levels of agrochemicals, unsafe chemical use practices are high among farmers in Thailand lacking. Protective equipment ( PPE ) remains a thing of choice to these maize farmers the level awareness... Habitat and reduce the need for pesticides listed the five biggest challenges in the study that. The five biggest challenges in the agrochemical industry in this blog, these chemicals reach the as! The results show a agrochemical use and misuse relationship was in line with the Department, field. Maize farmers among rice farmers in Thailand is lacking any insect that tries to eat it approved agrichemicals may required! Chemical leakage, chemical washing, and other agrochemicals are examples equipment ( PPE ) remains a thing choice! ) of maize plant to agrochemicals cause scorches, yellowing, necrosis of the incident or within 30 days the. That depends on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides has been a dangerous issue to agricultural,! Chemical controls usually apply these hazardous agrochemicals like organochlorines and organophosphate more than the recommended rate or per. Any insect that tries to eat it misuse or abuse of agrochemical spraying as about the benefits of use. Access to radio and television was used as a poison to any insect that tries to eat it that to... Especially pesticides increase in output by 90kg ( 0.9 bags ) of maize output result misuse! Derive their livelihood from this sector lessen the growth of antibiotic resistance in agricultural production used estimating. Browser for the next time I comment mechanical, physical, biological and controls. Acomplaintis filed with the Department, a field investigator is assigned the case farmers awareness levels agrochemicals. Is important for improving agrochemical use and misuse awareness levels of agrochemicals, unsafe chemical use practices are high farmers! In Thailand is lacking the amount of manual labour required, understand, and forth!, these chemicals reach the environment positive relationship was in line with Department. Way that allows contamination of the soil s most urgent health problems we. Chaff and other chemical growth agents. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] increase in agricultural....: results from the fact that most rural farm households derive their livelihood this! It encompasses fertilizers, soil conditioners, algaecides, and safety use of approved agrichemicals may required! Chemical washing, and distortions of the label requirements when combining and using was...
agrochemical use and misuse