Practices and challenges of wheat producer farmers on safe pesticide use in Basoliben district, East Gojjam zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Pesticide safety has become a major concern in recent years. Thus, this research was initiated to assess practices and challenges of safe pesticide use in Basoliben district. To address the objective of the study, a mixed research approach was used; and 302 sample farmers were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data were collected using an interview schedule; focus group discussion and key informant interview; and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and percentages) and narration. The study revealed that farmers have good practices of spraying machine calibration and caring for wind direction during spraying. However, the practice of keeping the re-entry period was not used by farmers. Similarly, the hygiene practices of changing clothes, bathing right after spraying, and washing clothes separately were inadequately implemented. Farmers employed improper practices such as spraying pesticides repeatedly, employing unlabeled pesticides, and utilizing pesticide cocktails to dispose of pesticides. The farmers did not also follow the instructions of labels, leaflets, and advice given by the local agricultural office. Thus, the regional government needs to enact and enforce pesticide safety laws and regulations.