Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana

A survey of 200 farmers in the Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti region was conducted between June and October 2016. It was to determine their knowledge of different pests and disease control methods employed, access to extension services, pesticides use and other pests control methods. The study...

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Main Authors: John Bokaligidi Lambon, Mahama Sanuel, Joseph Honger, David Yakubu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hasan Eleroğlu 2023-12-01
Series:Turkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology
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Online Access:https://www.agrifoodscience.com/index.php/TURJAF/article/view/5810
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author John Bokaligidi Lambon
Mahama Sanuel
Joseph Honger
David Yakubu
author_facet John Bokaligidi Lambon
Mahama Sanuel
Joseph Honger
David Yakubu
author_sort John Bokaligidi Lambon
collection DOAJ
description A survey of 200 farmers in the Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti region was conducted between June and October 2016. It was to determine their knowledge of different pests and disease control methods employed, access to extension services, pesticides use and other pests control methods. The study relied on data collected from respondents, 12 key informants (pesticides dealers, vegetable buyers and local chief farmers), field surveillance and observation as well as the reports of the Directorate of Agriculture in the Municipality. Data were captured and analyzed using MS Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS) version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and interpreted into simple percentages on tables and charts. The result showed that farmers are above 20 years and 18% were female. The majority (74%) have at least basic education with six (6) or more years’ of experience in tomato production. Sixty-four percent (64%) had no access to extension services due to poor contact with the agricultural extension agents (AEAs). Most respondents (70%) lacked education on pesticides and alternative (e.g., integrated pests’ management) control. Nine-two percent acknowledged the dangers of pesticides to public health. Sixty-four percent practice bi-weekly calendar spraying while 30 % and 6% practice weekly and occasional spraying respectively. Forty-four percent of farmers throw used containers or leave them on the farm. More education is needed to ensure safe use of pesticides and wholesome tomatoes for the public.
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spelling doaj-art-630b7d44e32a42cf819adcdf863bb6492025-08-20T02:35:12ZengHasan EleroğluTurkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology2148-127X2023-12-0111122218222810.24925/turjaf.v11i12.2218-2228.58104556Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of GhanaJohn Bokaligidi Lambon0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3605-4831Mahama Sanuel1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3542-2444Joseph Honger2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5692-6668David Yakubu3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9645-9825Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-Ghana), Head Office, Box M32, Accra, GhanaSoil and Irrigation Research Centre, School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaDepartment of Agriculture, Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Kumasi, GhanaA survey of 200 farmers in the Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti region was conducted between June and October 2016. It was to determine their knowledge of different pests and disease control methods employed, access to extension services, pesticides use and other pests control methods. The study relied on data collected from respondents, 12 key informants (pesticides dealers, vegetable buyers and local chief farmers), field surveillance and observation as well as the reports of the Directorate of Agriculture in the Municipality. Data were captured and analyzed using MS Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS) version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and interpreted into simple percentages on tables and charts. The result showed that farmers are above 20 years and 18% were female. The majority (74%) have at least basic education with six (6) or more years’ of experience in tomato production. Sixty-four percent (64%) had no access to extension services due to poor contact with the agricultural extension agents (AEAs). Most respondents (70%) lacked education on pesticides and alternative (e.g., integrated pests’ management) control. Nine-two percent acknowledged the dangers of pesticides to public health. Sixty-four percent practice bi-weekly calendar spraying while 30 % and 6% practice weekly and occasional spraying respectively. Forty-four percent of farmers throw used containers or leave them on the farm. More education is needed to ensure safe use of pesticides and wholesome tomatoes for the public.https://www.agrifoodscience.com/index.php/TURJAF/article/view/5810chemical pesticidesagricultural extension agentschemical poisoningpublic healthintegrated pests managementcalendar spraying
spellingShingle John Bokaligidi Lambon
Mahama Sanuel
Joseph Honger
David Yakubu
Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana
Turkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology
chemical pesticides
agricultural extension agents
chemical poisoning
public health
integrated pests management
calendar spraying
title Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_full Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_fullStr Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_short Assessing Vegetable Farmers’ Knowledge of Disease and Pests Control Methods in Ghana: A Survey of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum [L]) Farmers in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana
title_sort assessing vegetable farmers knowledge of disease and pests control methods in ghana a survey of tomato solanum lycopersicum l farmers in the mampong municipality of the ashanti region of ghana
topic chemical pesticides
agricultural extension agents
chemical poisoning
public health
integrated pests management
calendar spraying
url https://www.agrifoodscience.com/index.php/TURJAF/article/view/5810
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