Factors Affecting Compliance with Pesticide Safety Standards Among Smallholder
Farmers in Suakoko District in Bong County
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A B S T R A C T
Compliance with pesticide safety standards among smallholder farmers in Suakoko District, Bong County, was assessed using data collected from 204 farmers. The findings revealed a generally high level of knowledge and adherence to recommended pesticide safety practices. Most farmers had received pesticide safety training (80.4%), while 82.8% and 83.3% were aware of the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide misuse, respectively. Compliance with key safety measures was relatively high, with 76.5% always wearing protective clothing during pesticide application, 84.8% consistently mixing pesticides according to label instructions, 87.7% keeping pesticides away from children and food items, and 77.0% observing the recommended pre-harvest interval before harvesting. Furthermore, 78.4% reported always washing their hands and body after pesticide application. Despite these positive practices, several factors were identified as barriers to full compliance. The high cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) was a major challenge, with 58.8% of respondents agreeing that PPE was too expensive. Limited access to PPE also affected compliance, as 68.6% agreed that inadequate availability reduced adherence to safety standards. Additionally, 99.0% of farmers indicated that agrochemical dealers provided inadequate information on pesticide safety, while 51.0% believed that low literacy levels hindered understanding of pesticide instructions. Health-related consequences of pesticide use remained significant, with 58.8% of farmers reporting pesticide-related health problems, mainly headaches, dizziness, and skin irritation. Extension services played an important role in promoting compliance, as 68.6% of farmers received monthly visits from extension officers and 85.7% believed that extension services improved adherence to pesticide safety standards. The study concludes that although compliance with pesticide safety standards is generally high, affordability and accessibility of PPE, inadequate information from agrochemical dealers, and literacy challenges remain key factors affecting compliance among smallholder farmers in Suakoko District.