Evaluation of Traditional and Modernized Pest Control Methods Used by Smallholder Farmers in Malawi

Elina Mkandawire

doi:10.12944/carj.5.1.02

Abstract

In order to compare the environmental performance of the existing pest control methods used by Malawian smallholder farmers a study was conducted to assess the environmental performance of two pest control methods used in cultivation of tomatoes (traditional pest control method vs. modernized pest control method). The study was conducted in two gardens, a farm using traditional pest control methods (Tikondwe Freedom Gardens) and another farm using modernized pest control techniques (Mgwirizano Farm Produce Club). The soil and tomato samples were analyzed, by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode. The results revealed the presence of pesticide residues at various concentration levels both in the soil and tomato samples. The concentrations of pesticide residues regarding the Mgwirizano Farm Produce Club Gardens were; for tomatoes, Dimethoate (1.2 - 3 ppm), L-Cyhalothrin, (0.2-3 ppm) Cypermethrin (< 0.03 ppm) Mancozeb (2-4 ppm) Chlorothalonil (0.02- 3ppm) while for soil samples, Dimethoate (<0.01 ppm), L-Cyhalothrin (<0.01ppm), Cypermethrin (<0.01ppm), Mancozeb (0.3- 1ppm) and Chlorothalonil (0.02- 2ppm). For comparison purposes tomato and soil samples collected from the field that uses traditional pest control methods (Tikondwe freedom farm) were also analyzed for pesticides residues and had the following outcome, the tomatoes had Dimethoate (< 0.01 ppm), L-Cyhalothrin, (0.01 ppm) Cypermethrin (< 0.01 ppm) Mancozeb (<0.01ppm) Chlorothalonil (<0.01 ppm) while the soil samples had concentrations of Dimethoate (0.03 ppm), L-Cyhalothrin (<0.01ppm), Cypermethrin (0.02ppm), Mancozeb (0.01ppm) and Chlorothalonil (0.01ppm). Furthermore, the study collected more information on health effects of pest management methodologies through Interviews with farmers, farm workers and health practitioners in rural areas where horticultural crops such as tomatoes are mostly cultivated using farm inputs, particularly pesticides.

Highlights

Agriculture is the most important sector of Malawi’s economy
In reference to table 1, tomato samples grown under traditional pest control methods from Tikondwe freedom garden was found to contain a considerably less amount of pesticides residues than tomatoes grown under modernized pest control methods
Pesticide residues in tomatoes from the farm using traditional pest control methods were less than 0.01 ppm, that is, there was negligible or no pesticides residues

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture is the most important sector of Malawi’s economy. It is the primary source of livelihoods for large number of households in Malawi where majority of them manage their own farms as farm operators with extremely small farm size[1]. In order to realize maximum production, the Malawian agricultural sector has adopted the extensive use of agro-chemicals, fertilizers and improved seed[3]. This excessive use of chemicals is and continues to put agriculture at a risk of contaminating the soil

Objectives

Methods

Results