Comparison of EIQ and PRIMET models to assaee the impact of pesticide use of smallholder cocoa production in western Ghana

Abstract

Risk assessments of agricultural systems in Ghana are often performed to ascertain the level of risk posed by agrochemicals released during application. In this thesis two risk assessment models EIQ and PRIMET are compared to determine which of them predicts risk to the consumer, farmer and, the environment. A second part of the study involved the administering of a structured questionnaire to 75 farmers to obtain pesticide usage data and perceptions of safe pesticide usage. The general objective was to calculate the level of risk posed because of chemical usage to the three compartments mentioned above. The farmer survey revealed that cocoa farmers used both registered and unapproved chemicals on their farms. Many of them partially wore protective equipment during application which can be viewed as a major health concern. Chronic pesticide poisoning symptoms reported showed varying PPE usage. This was again supported by a high number of the respondents experiencing head aches and burning sensations in the face after chemical application. Storage of procured pesticides in living houses was another surprising result given the magnitude of publications on food poisoning of farmers due to this storage choice. Almost all farmers failed to perform an assessment of pest status of farm before chemical application. In conclusion, the level of understanding of harm posed by pesticides is low and more education on this matter must be carried out in these farming communities.