Assessment of pesticide use against Tephrtidae fruit fly and other pest among small-scale solanaceous vegetable farmers in Bugorhe-Kabare the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Ninety-six farmers interviewed in Kabare, east of the DR Congo during 2021 and WHO Hazard Class and health effects (2005) used. Farmers majority were males (79.17%), ranging 30 to 60 years, used different pesticides in vegetable farms and the main solanaceous crops cultivated is tomato. The use of insecticide and fungicide were high, with many different formulations of the difference class types recorded in use, (20%) endocrine disruptors, (40%) cholinesterase inhibitors, (35%) carcinogen and potential carcinogens suspected to be. A lot of out of those pesticides are unregistered for general use. Farmers applied pesticide once a week and did not have specific instructions either from the label or from extension staff regarding these tank mixtures. The skin effects, headaches and dizziness are dominant. They do not have a good system of pesticide packaging management. We propose options to reduce pesticide application based upon integrated pest Management (IPM) and agro ecology. Moreover, IPM increases farmer economy, thus decreasing poverty. We suggest that the Congolese government must create a quarantine, control and surveillance service for phytosanitary products, fruits and vegetables within the DRC country and at these borders.