Preliminary screening of pesticides used by farmers in North West Cameroon

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate pesticide use in farmers in Tubah, North West of Cameroon. The data collected would be valuable for pesticide policies to reduce the effects of pesticides on human health and the environment. This survey was carried out in November and December 2016 in Tubah Sub-Division, located in Mezam Division region of North West Cameroon. A survey was conducted on 120 homesteads of the area of the study. The results revealed that 80% of farmers were female. 59.2% had completed primary education whereas no tertiary education was reported among respondents. Insects were the major pests (67.5%) followed by fungi (19.2%), and finally rodents (11.7%). The commonly used pesticides were insecticides; however, herbicides were also used before planting. 19.2% of the farmers fed their livestock and poultry pesticide-treated crops. This study found that farmers in Bambili lacked knowledge in safe handling and use of pesticides. Training programs should be applied to minimize the adverse hazards of pesticides on human health and the environment.