Assessment of knowledge and patterns of weedicide and personal protective equipment usage among farmers in some cocoa farming communities in Ghana

The inability of farmers to adhere to the precise usage pattern of weedicides and personal protective equipment (PPE) in cocoa cultivation has been a challenge to cocoa production, the environment and human health. We conducted a study to determine the usage pattern of weedicides and PPE in some cocoa-growing communities in the Western North region of Ghana. We collected data from 92 cocoa farmers distributed in five communities using a semi-structured questionnaire and descriptive statistics was employed in analysing the data in the form of frequency, percentages and p values. The results indicated a significant difference (P < 0.05) in all the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers where most of the smallholder farmers were of old age. The majority (84%) of the farmers used both manual and chemical methods of weed control in their farms. Farmers' choice of weed control method was significantly influenced by their level of education, use of protective clothing and their socio-economic characteristics. Farmers' knowledge of weedicide usage, mode of application, rate of application and time of application was low. Wearing of protective clothing, wellington boots and overalls were common among farmers during weedicide application. Yet farmers complained of body irritation, severe headaches, catarrh, and body aches after weedicide usage. This is an indication of incomplete or improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the farmers who were not aware of the dangers associated with the use of weedicides on their health. Based on these health problems and other related issues, Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has discouraged cocoa farmers from the use of weedicides in the cocoa ecosystem. Instead, COCOBOD has provided slashers for use by farmers.