Pesticide use in vegetable production in rural Uganda - A case study of Kabale District, South western Uganda
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Date
2020
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Academic Journals
Abstract
A study to investigate commonly grown vegetables, commonly used pesticides, and pesticide use
practices was conducted in Kabale District, in South-western Uganda. This is because indiscriminate
pesticide use and poor application practices can leave pesticide residues in food rendering it unsafe for
consumption. The study revealed extensive pesticide application in Brassica oleracea; var. capitata
(cabbage), Brassica oleracea; var. botrytis (cauliflower), Solanum lycopersicum, (tomato) and Beta
vulgaris (beet root). Information obtained using interviews revealed that 16.5% of the traders in Kabale
Municipality sold pesticides and 70% of the farmers in the major vegetable growing subcounties of
Kaharo, Kyanamira and Kamuganguzi sprayed their vegetables with pesticides. Only 18% of the
interviewed farmers could interpret instructions on pesticide container or bag labels correctly. All
farmers (100%) had never attended any training on pesticide use. Cypermethrin, dimethoate,
dichlorvos, metalaxyl, profenofos, malathion and mancozeb were mentioned as commonly used
pesticides in vegetables grown in the district. Some of the farmers (42%) used mixed different
pesticides in the vegetables. Limited knowledge about pesticide application, inability to interpret
instructions, non-observance of pre-harvest intervals, mixing pesticides and lack of training on
pesticide use contribute to pesticide use malpractices which may put farmers’ health at risk and reduce
food quality. Therefore, there is need to address the identified knowledge gaps on safer pesticide
application in order to attain safe agricultural productivity for sustainable food security, safeguarding
human health and community development in Kabale District, Uganda.
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Keywords
Pesticides, vegetables, pesticide use practices, Kabale District, Uganda.