Practices and Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers Towards Safe Pesticide Management in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

In recent years, safe pesticide management has become increasingly important. Thus the research was aimed to evaluate the current state of pesticide management practices and farmers knowledge. The study deployed a multistage sampling technique to select participant districts and the respondents. About 268 sample respondents were drawn from six districts of East Gojjam zone. The results revealed that the majority of the farmers (69.45%) store their pesticides in their houses that they perceive anybody can’t be reached. Farmers were found to have poor practices of using face masks, overalls, goggles, and gloves. Farmers frequently engaged in good practices of washing and calibrating spraying machines. Around 57.22%, 41.9%, and 38.9% of farmers visit their freshly sprayed fields within 24 hours of spraying insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, respectively without using personal protective equipment. Farmers demonstrated proficiency in several hygienic practices including taking a bath, changing clothes, and washing cloths immediately after spraying. Participant farmers experienced various health symptoms after spraying pesticides. The majority of the farmers were cognizant on exposure routs of pesticides. However, they didn't understand the intended pictogram messages from pesticide containers. The study demonstrated that improper pesticide management had an impact on both the environment and farmers' health. Thus, there is a need to improve farmers' knowledge and skills by offering regular awareness-raising training on safe pesticide management techniques.