Abstract
BackgroundThe export drive for watermelon production is huge and so is pesticide usage. However, the health and safety of the farmers, as well as threat to the environment lie in the shadow. The purpose of the study is to evaluate watermelon farmers’ knowledge and application of pesticides in the Central region of Ghana, to ascertain factors associated with the pesticides application.MethodsA field survey of 300 farmers were conducted in six communities through questionnaire. Logistic regression model was used to describe and explain burning sensation as the response variable and the factors that likely affect appropriate pesticide usage.ResultsThe results show that farmers were aware of the environmental and health impacts of pesticides use. However, their knowledge of the risks associated with pesticides is not translated into actual practice to avoid the exposure of pesticides. The farmers experienced various levels of health risks symptoms. Health risks symptoms of headache, burning sensation, fever, watering eyes, chest pains, etc., were reported. The most common symptom is burning sensation. A model capturing biosocial factors influencing predisposition to burning sensation was developed. The model revealed that knowledge to identify pests, knowledge to identify diseases and wearing coverall were the most significant factors farmers experienced to influence burning sensation.ConclusionSignificant number of watermelon farmers’ experienced health risks symptoms. In order to minimize the health risk symptoms and environmental consequences, educational training programs must involve the farmers and retailers through strong policy intervention.
Highlights
The export drive for watermelon production is huge and so is pesticide usage
= β0 + β1X1 + β2X2 + · · · + βkXk where p is the probability of burning sensation as affected by sets of explanatory variables and 1-p, the probability of not to be affected; and the odds ratio is the ratio of the two probabilities: p/(1 − p), βo = the constant of the equation, β1 = the coefficient of the explanatory variables 1
Understanding and documenting pesticide use is a prerequisite for any meaningful policy interventions
Summary
The export drive for watermelon production is huge and so is pesticide usage. the health and safety of the farmers, as well as threat to the environment lie in the shadow. In controlling pests and diseases affecting fruits and vegetables, food crops (yam, maize, rice, cassava), cocoa and watermelon for cultivation, smallholder farmers in Ghana and in Africa apply various pesticides (Wumbei and Houbraken 2019; Afari-Sefa et al 2015; Kwadzo et al 2015; Mattah et al 2015; Ngowi et al 2007). Miyittah et al Environ Syst Res (2020) 9:10 training and education on pesticide usage had low levels of health effects. In Botswana, Machekano et al (2019) reported pesticides residues were detected in 74% of cabbage samples from three vegetable markets (farmgates, vendors and supermarkets), and such public health concerns of excess pesticides residues is found in Ghana (Donkor et al 2016; Osei-Fosu et al 2017)
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