The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, Ghana
The objective of this study is to assess the adoption of alternative pest management methods to reduce risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region. Cultural control methods found to be the most practiced alternative pest management, especially in the Ho West district where majority of the farmers...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022038798 |
| _version_ | 1797960802369536000 |
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| author | Michael K. Miyittah Richard K. Kosivi Samuel Kofi Tulashie Maxwell N. Addi Josephine Y. Tawiah |
| author_facet | Michael K. Miyittah Richard K. Kosivi Samuel Kofi Tulashie Maxwell N. Addi Josephine Y. Tawiah |
| author_sort | Michael K. Miyittah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objective of this study is to assess the adoption of alternative pest management methods to reduce risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region. Cultural control methods found to be the most practiced alternative pest management, especially in the Ho West district where majority of the farmers were more knowledgeable of alternative pest control methods. There was significant relationship between agrochemical shop services (χ2 = 13,028, p < 0.000), farming years of experience (χ2 = 16.424, p < 0.002), knowledge in degree of pest infestation (χ2 = 8.498, p < 0.000), education (χ2 = 10.557, p < 0.014), farmers' community (χ2 = 39.275, p < 0.000) and farmers’ knowledge on alternative pest control methods. Farmers who relied on agrochemical shop services for pest control methods were 87% less likely to be knowledgeable on alternative pest control methods while those who considered degree of pest infestation in pest management were (OR = 1.150, p <0.008) more likely to be knowledgeable on alternative pest control methods. For the socio-cultural factors, Leklebi Kame (OR = 9.53-e 08, p < 0.000), Bla (OR = 0.280, p < 0.027) and Gbledi Chebi (OR = 0.287, p < 0.053) were less likely to be knowledgeable on alternative method of pest control compared to Kpedze. Fellow farmers and extension agents were the major sources of information on alternative pest control methods in the study area. Economic, technical, unavailability of labour, and farm implements were factors hampering adoption of alternative pest control methods in the study area. The most pesticide toxicological symptom reported was skin irritation and was recorded among majority of the farmers in Hohoe and Afadjato South districts where low knowledge and patronage of alternative pests control methods were identified. Awareness creation and capacity building programs should be organized through fellow farmers and extension agents on the need to reduce the use of chemical pesticide in pest management. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:49:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-49c453de231a4a858e9f29de7492a1bc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:49:55Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-49c453de231a4a858e9f29de7492a1bc2023-01-05T08:41:04ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402022-12-01812e12591The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, GhanaMichael K. Miyittah0Richard K. Kosivi1Samuel Kofi Tulashie2Maxwell N. Addi3Josephine Y. Tawiah4Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Corresponding author.Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaDepartment of Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry Unit, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaDepartment of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaDepartment of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaThe objective of this study is to assess the adoption of alternative pest management methods to reduce risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region. Cultural control methods found to be the most practiced alternative pest management, especially in the Ho West district where majority of the farmers were more knowledgeable of alternative pest control methods. There was significant relationship between agrochemical shop services (χ2 = 13,028, p < 0.000), farming years of experience (χ2 = 16.424, p < 0.002), knowledge in degree of pest infestation (χ2 = 8.498, p < 0.000), education (χ2 = 10.557, p < 0.014), farmers' community (χ2 = 39.275, p < 0.000) and farmers’ knowledge on alternative pest control methods. Farmers who relied on agrochemical shop services for pest control methods were 87% less likely to be knowledgeable on alternative pest control methods while those who considered degree of pest infestation in pest management were (OR = 1.150, p <0.008) more likely to be knowledgeable on alternative pest control methods. For the socio-cultural factors, Leklebi Kame (OR = 9.53-e 08, p < 0.000), Bla (OR = 0.280, p < 0.027) and Gbledi Chebi (OR = 0.287, p < 0.053) were less likely to be knowledgeable on alternative method of pest control compared to Kpedze. Fellow farmers and extension agents were the major sources of information on alternative pest control methods in the study area. Economic, technical, unavailability of labour, and farm implements were factors hampering adoption of alternative pest control methods in the study area. The most pesticide toxicological symptom reported was skin irritation and was recorded among majority of the farmers in Hohoe and Afadjato South districts where low knowledge and patronage of alternative pests control methods were identified. Awareness creation and capacity building programs should be organized through fellow farmers and extension agents on the need to reduce the use of chemical pesticide in pest management.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022038798RiskAlternative pest managementPPECocoaPesticideVolta |
| spellingShingle | Michael K. Miyittah Richard K. Kosivi Samuel Kofi Tulashie Maxwell N. Addi Josephine Y. Tawiah The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, Ghana Heliyon Risk Alternative pest management PPE Cocoa Pesticide Volta |
| title | The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, Ghana |
| title_full | The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, Ghana |
| title_fullStr | The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, Ghana |
| title_short | The need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the Volta region, Ghana |
| title_sort | need for alternative pest management methods to mitigate risks among cocoa farmers in the volta region ghana |
| topic | Risk Alternative pest management PPE Cocoa Pesticide Volta |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022038798 |
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