Pesticide handling practices and associated ecotoxicological and human health risks among rice farmers in Karonga district, Malawi

The quantities, diversity, and frequency of pesticide application among rice farmers in Malawi are steadily increasing to improve crop production. Inappropriate handling and application of pesticides expose farmers and the environment to adverse health risks. The study investigated the level of knowledge on pesticide handling and respective effects on both environment and human health. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data in the survey involving 399 randomly selected rice farmers. Descriptive statistics analyzed farmers’ socio-demographic profiles and their knowledge of different aspects of pesticide application. Chi-square tests explored the association between socio-demographic characteristics and farmers’ knowledge of different aspects of the pesticides. Logistic regression models were fitted for each binary outcome and the socio-demographic characteristics. Male farmers aged 55 years and above with education above secondary level were 0.42 times less likely to observe self-protection, aware of the toxicity of different chemicals and the associated environmental effects, hence handled and applied pesticides responsibly. Farmers identified headache and respiratory disorder as the common human health conditions associated with pesticide use. Likewise, more educated farmers, beyond secondary level were 2.37 times more likely to handle good or better pesticide handling and aware of dangers on environmental degradation. The study found that farmers lacked adequate knowledge about optimal pesticide usage and had insufficient understanding of proper pesticide handling and its respective impacts on humans and the environment. Proper training and information sharing among farmers’ groups are needed.