FARMERS’ PESTICIDE USE PRACTICES AND PERCEPTION ON INSECT POLLINATORS AND POLLINATION IN TAITA HILLS, KENYA

Abstract

Chemical pesticides are commonly used in control in pests and diseases but often at the expense of environment and biodiversity. Chemical use poses a threat to insect pollinators, which help in enhancing the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. Farmers’ perception on insect pollinators may have influence on how they conserve them. The objective of this study was to determine farmers’ pesticide use practices and their perception on insect pollinators. A survey was conducted in farming villages surrounding Ngangao Forest, Taita Hills between March and April 2018. Seventy farmers were randomly sampled within ten farming villages and a structured questionnaire administered to them. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22.It was found that 29 chemical pesticide active ingredients belonging to 14 chemical groups were used against different pests and diseases in the area. The most commonly used chemical groups were synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate with 49.2% and 20.7% frequencies, respectively. Over 80% of the farmers followed the recommended rates of chemical application as stated on the label. Farmers dispose used chemical pesticide containers in three main ways; burning 47.1%, burying 24.3%, in pit latrine 15.7% with few farmers disposing them in dustbin, leaving them in the field or disposing in nearby bushes. Majority of the farmers 90% know about beneficial insects including insect pollinators. More than half of the farmers 62.9% were aware that insect pollinators are important in agriculture enhancing fruit, seed and pod set. Hence, there is need for adoption of ecofriendly pesticides by farmers to conserve pollinators. In addition, there is need for awareness creation on conservation of insect pollinators through integrated pest and pollinator management strategies (IPPM) and management of pollinator habitat.