Perception of Environmental Risks of Phytosanitary Products in the Market Gardening in Douvar Municipality of Mokolo (Far North Region of Cameroon)

Abstract

Peri-urban market gardening plays an important role in the supply of fresh vegetables in the town of Mokolo (Far North, Cameroon) and its surroundings. This activity is concentrated around the dam supplying drinking water to the Mokolo city. To fight against pests and increase their yield, market gardeners’ resort to pesticides, with the risks they often ignore. The objective of this study is to assess the perception of risks and effects linked to the use of plant protection products on human health and the environment in particular. The study was made through a survey and was carried out among 88 market gardeners using survey sheets. The results obtained show that in the locality of Douvar, market gardening is more practiced by young people under 35 years old. They also use plant protection products which are dangerous for human health and the environment. Market gardeners use 13 different types of pesticides with a dominance of insecticides (60.92%). The survey also showed that 100% of farmers agree that the use of pesticides leads to good yields and also eradicated insects and disease. However, the decision to carry out phytosanitary treatments and the timing of treatment are often conditioned by the availability of the product and the presence of the attack. The majority of market gardeners (83%) are not educated and therefore do not have a good knowledge on the application rates and the frequencies of treatment of crops.