Pesticide Use in Smallholder Vegetable Farming in Tanzania
Author Information
Author(s): Kapeleka Jones A.
Primary Institution: Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA)
Hypothesis
Farmers have resorted to using more pesticides to reduce the effects of insect pests.
Conclusion
Excessive pesticide use in smallholder vegetable production in Tanzania poses significant health and environmental risks.
Supporting Evidence
- Farmers reported using high doses of pesticides, with 47.9% of pesticides being misused.
- 88.6% of farmers lacked knowledge of pest control and 88.9% were unaware of pesticide safety practices.
- WHO Class II pesticides dominated smallholder vegetable production, indicating high toxicity.
Takeaway
Farmers in Tanzania are using too many pesticides, which can be harmful to their health and the environment.
Methodology
Data were collected through field surveys and observations from 385 farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using a binary probit model.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from farmers' self-reporting and limited access to expert advice.
Limitations
The study may not capture all factors influencing pesticide use due to reliance on self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 300 males (77.9%) and 85 females (22.1%), with a majority having primary education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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