Knowledge, attitude and practices of farmers and experts about the effects of pesticide residues on agricultural product users and ecosystems: A case of Fogera District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Pesticides are chemicals used to control different types of pests. Though pesticides played a role in improving the quantity and quality of production, they have been threatening ecosystems and posed effects on humans in different parts of the world. Unfortunately, there were no studies made about the effects of pesticide residues on ecosystems and consumers in the Fogera District of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Hence, the main objective of this study was to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practices of respondents about the effects of pesticide residues on ecosystems and consumers. A cross-sectional survey complemented by focus group discussions and field observations was used to gather the required data for the study. The close-ended data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regressions, and independent t-test, and data from open-ended questions were grouped and summarized based on their similarities. The findings of the study confirmed that there was significant knowledge, attitude, and practices difference between farmers and consumers about the effects of pesticide residues on ecosystems and humans. Farmers used highly toxic pesticides to control pests and improve the glossiness of vegetables and khat. Though they didn’t use the sprayed vegetables for their home consumption, some of the farmers deliberately supplied pesticide-sprayed vegetables without worrying about the negative effects of the pesticides on the consumers. There were also fishing practices from rivers after intoxicating the fish using the pesticide sprayed feed. This, in turn, might poison individuals who consume the fish. In general, pesticide application practices and consumption of pesticide-sprayed foodstuffs and surface water might pose serious health risks to ecosystems and humans. To minimize the negative effects of pesticides, rigorous awareness-raising on the effects and management of pesticides, enforcement of laws, delineation of the pesticide free buffer zone for waters, the establishment of a clear pesticide supply chain to the end users, ecosystem assessment and food safety monitoring schemes are highly required.