Cocoa Farmers' Compliance with Safety Precautions in Spraying Agrochemicals and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Cameroon.

Abayomi Oyekale

doi:10.3390/ijerph15020327

Abstract

The inability of farmers to comply with essential precautions in the course of spraying agrochemicals remains a policy dilemma, especially in developing countries. The objectives of this paper were to assess compliance of cocoa farmers with agrochemical safety measures, analyse the factors explaining involvement of cocoa farmers in the practice of reusing agrochemical containers and wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE). Data were collected with structured questionnaires from 667 cocoa farmers from the Centre and South West regions in Cameroon. Data analyses were carried out with Probit regression and Negative Binomial regression models. The results showed that average cocoa farm sizes were 3.55 ha and 2.82 ha in South West and Centre regions, respectively, and 89.80% and 42.64% complied with manufacturers’ instructions in the use of insecticides. Eating or drinking while spraying insecticides and fungicides was reported by 4.20% and 5.10% of all farmers in the two regions, respectively. However, 37.78% and 57.57% of all farmers wore hand gloves and safety boots while spraying insecticides in the South West and Centre regions of Cameroon, respectively. In addition, 7.80% of all the farmers would wash agrochemical containers and use them at home, while 42.43% would wash and use them on their farms. Probit regression results showed that probability of reusing agrochemical containers was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by region of residence of cocoa farmers, gender, possession of formal education and farming as primary occupation. The Negative Binomial regression results showed that the log of number PPE worn was significantly influenced (p < 0.10) by region, marital status, attainment of formal education, good health, awareness of manufacturers’ instructions, land area and contact index. It was among others concluded that efforts to train farmers on the need to be familiar with manufacturers’ instructions and use PPE would enhance their safety in the course of spraying agrochemicals.

Highlights

Cocoa cultivation in Cameroon is primarily embraced by peasant farmers, who may own one to three hectare cocoa farms [1]
There is no significant difference between average years of education in the Centre (9.46) and South West (9.22)
The variables that showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) were region, male farmers, formal education and farming as a primary occupation. These results indicate that farmers from the South West region had significantly lower probability of reusing agrochemical containers

Summary

Introduction

Cocoa cultivation in Cameroon is primarily embraced by peasant farmers, who may own one to three hectare cocoa farms [1]. Out of the four regions where cocoa is grown, the South West region is the highest producer, accounting for about 60 percent of Cameroon’s total annual output [2]. If achieved and all things being equal, Cameroon would become the third largest producer of cocoa in the world [3]. Some expert opinions have highlighted the inadequate supply of necessary farm inputs and growing incidences of cocoa pests and diseases as major obstacles to achieve such a significant increase in cocoa output. As the fifth world’s largest producer of cocoa, Cameroon realizes about £308.6 million annually from international cocoa trades, which constitutes about 50% of the country’s total revenues from primary agricultural exports [2,3]

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Conclusion