Farmers’ knowledge and perception of the use of pesticides in Arabica coffee, Coffea arabica agro-ecologies of Uganda

Abstract

Farmers’ knowledge and perception of the use of pesticides in Arabica coffee, Coffea arabica agro-ecologies of Uganda Kagezi, H. Godfrey; Kucel Patrick; Kobusinge Judith; Olango D. Nicholas; Nakibuule Lilian; Nanjego Winnie; Nambozo P. Babra; Olal Sammy; Wagoire W. William Abstract Low yields of coffee in Uganda are due to a number of factors with insects, diseases and weeds being paramount. In response, farmers respond by applying all kinds of pesticides to control these stresses. A questionnaire to elucidate farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of pesticide use was therefore administered to 325 randomly selected respondents in the Arabica coffee growing regions of Uganda. Our results showed that only 23% of the respondents had ever used or were using pesticides, although, >50% of these respondents had knowledge on pesticides use. However, the methods of pesticide disposal were poor with >40% of these respondents disposing the wash water and unused/waste pesticide on their farms whereas, used containers were being burned. Also, >60% of these respondents were re-entering their coffee fields in less than one week after spraying. These practices expose the farmers, their animals and the environment to pesticide poisoning. Nevertheless, >50% of these respondents were aware of the negative effects pesticides are likely to cause to humans, animals and environment. Therefore, in order to minimize pesticide exposure and toxicity, training and awareness campaigns on pesticides use, particularly pesticide disposal should be rolled out to all the coffee growing agro-ecologies of Uganda. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v7n2a17