Pesticide application and water quality in Doho and Kibimba rice irrigation schemes, eastern Uganda
The number and amount of agrochemicals used has increased dramatically world over and their toxic nature has raised concern about environmental impact and effects on human health. Considering that agriculture is a major source of income in most developing countries, crop damage from pest infestati...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
Kabale University Interdisciplinary Research Journal (KURJ)
2022
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/623 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | The number and amount of agrochemicals used has increased dramatically world over and their toxic
nature has raised concern about environmental impact and effects on human health. Considering that
agriculture is a major source of income in most developing countries, crop damage from pest infestation
is of great concern to many farmers. These farmers are therefore motivated to apply pesticides. However,
runoff from such farmlands unintendedly contaminates the water sources thereby causing harm to
aquatic life and contaminates drinking water. This study was carried out at Doho and Kibimba irrigation
schemes, which are the two commercial paddy rice growing areas in Uganda. The aim of this study was
to investigate the effect of pesticide application on water quality in these two schemes and assess
community awareness of the dangers of pesticide application. A cross sectional research design was
used to collect data. A total of 60 samples (30 from each site) on physicochemical characteristics were
collected in situ using standard equipment. 200 local community members (100 from each scheme)
were randomly selected while on the farm and interviewed. Statistical analyses were conducted using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program, version 20. Results showed that there were
significant spatial differences in all the physical chemical properties of water in Doho Rice Scheme
(P<0.05), while significant spatial variations were recorded for only pH, temperature at Kibimba rice
scheme (P<0.05). Independent t-test results showed that water pH, temperature and turbidity varied
significantly between Doho and Kibimba (P<0.05). Herbicides such as rocket, Diazine, Cypermatrine
glyphosate were being used by famers with rocket frequently used at Doho while glyphosate was
the only one used at Kibimba. Majority of the farm workers at Kibimba (96.9%) reported to have
always used protective devices when handling pesticides and the reverse was true for farm workers at
Doho despite the training on pesticide usage. The study therefore recommends regular water quality
monitoring and sensitization of farmworkers on the dangers of improper pesticide use. |
|---|