Effectiveness of Pesticide Safety Training on Farmers’ Knowledge and Practices in Vegetable Production: Evidence from Small-Scale Farmers in Kasena Nankana Municipality, Upper East Region of Ghana
Abstract
The current study examined the use of pesticides and their safety practices among smallholder vegetable farmers in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region, Ghana. A sample size of 95 vegetable farmers who engaged in dry-season vegetable farming was considered. Data collection was done using an interview guide and a structured questionnaire, and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, means, and standard deviations. The most cultivated vegetable was pepper (49%), followed by garden eggs (26%) and tomatoes (25%). Generally, 64.2% of farmers claimed that they had taken pesticide safety training in the last two years, whereas 35.8% did not take any pesticide safety training. Of the total farmers who took the training, the majority (83.6%) found the training useful, while 16.4% felt otherwise. Mostly, 54.1% of the training was conducted in farmers' fields, and hence the importance of a practical approach cannot be overstated. Insecticides were the most commonly used pesticides (74.7%), followed by fungicides (15.8%) and herbicides/rodenticides (9.5%). While 58.9% of farmers knew about the health effects of pesticides, 41.1% were ignorant of them. Similarly, 65.3% were unaware of government-banned pesticides, raising concerns about the potential use of prohibited products. Economic considerations strongly influenced pesticide selection, with 47.4% citing price and 31.6% citing potency. More than half (51.6%) reported not using personal protective equipment (PPE) during pesticide application. The study recommends strengthening continuous, participatory pesticide safety education with particular emphasis on pesticide regulatory knowledge and awareness of government-banned and prohibited pesticides. Given that 65.3% of respondents were unaware of government-banned pesticides, targeted awareness campaigns should clearly communicate which pesticides are banned, the reasons for their prohibition, and the potential health and environmental consequences of their use. Such information should be made accessible through agricultural extension services, community outreach, local-language communication, pictorial materials, demonstrations, and appropriate media channels. In addition, improved access to affordable personal protective equipment (PPE) and stronger collaboration among farmers, agro-input dealers, extension personnel, and regulatory institutions are recommended to promote compliance with pesticide regulations and reduce health and environmental risks associated with unsafe pesticide use.
Downloads
PlumX Statistics
References
Abimbola, M. E., Adebayo, O. A., & Ojo, O. O. (2024). Effect of educational level on the technical efficiency of poultry farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(1), 2296–2305. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.1.0229
Abujaja, A. M., & Pwoawuvi, J. (2026). Effectiveness of pesticide safety training on farmers’ knowledge and practices in vegetable production: Evidence from small-scale farmers in Kasena Nankana Municipality, Upper East Region of Ghana. European Scientific Journal, 57, 26. https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/21493
Adjei, R. R., Kyere, E., Ibrahim, N., Boateng, A. S., Asomah, S., Asomaning, S. K., & Adarkwah, C. (2024). Pattern of pesticide usage among tomato farmers for sustainable production in the Bono East Region, Ghana. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1), Article 2307128. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2024.2307128
Adom, M., Fening, K. O., Billah, M. K., Aigbedion-Atalor, P. O., & Wilson, D. D. (2024). Efficacy of selected biopesticides on key pests of chilli pepper for increased productivity in Ghana. Crop Protection, 176, Article 106497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106497
Ahmadipour, H., & Nakhei, Z. (2024). The effect of education on safe use of pesticides based on the health belief model. BMC Research Notes, 17, Article 134. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-024-06797-6
Ahiabor, W. K., & Donkor, E. S. (2025). Pesticide residues in foods in Ghana: A systematic review. Health Science Reports, 8(12), e71559.
Alamer, A. S. (2024). Behavior changes theories and models within health belief model research: A five-decade holistic bibliometric analysis. Cureus, 16(6), e63143. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.63143
Alyafei, A., & Easton-Carr, R. (2024). The health belief model of behavior change. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606120/
Ansah, M. O., & Skevas, T. (2024). Adoption and intensity of use of personal protective equipment by agricultural pesticide handlers: Empirical evidence from Peruvian agriculture. Journal of Cleaner Production, 446, Article 141433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141433
Asante, B. O., Ma, W., Prah, S. (2024). Farmers’ adoption of multiple climate-smart agricultural technologies in Ghana: Determinants and impacts on maize yields and net farm income. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 29, Article 16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-024-10114-8
Asravor, J., Tsiboe, F., Asravor, R. K., Wiredu, A. N., & Zeller, M. (2024). Technology and managerial performance of farm operators by age in Ghana. Journal of Productivity Analysis, 61(3), 279–303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11123-023-00679-y
Ayisi, D. N., Kozári, J., & Krisztina, T. (2022). Do smallholder farmers belong to the same adopter category? An assessment of smallholder farmers innovation adopter categories in Ghana. Heliyon, 8(8), e10421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10421
Bakker, T., Dugué, P., & de Tourdonnet, S. (2021). Assessing the effects of Farmer Field Schools on farmers’ trajectories of change in practices. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 41, Article 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00667-2
Bandanaa, J., Bosomtwe, A., Danson-Anokye, A., Adjei, E., Bissah, M., & Kotey, D. A. (2024). Determinants of pesticides use among tomato farmers in the Bono and Ahafo regions of Ghana. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 5484. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55169-4
Barau, A. A., & Yelwa, F. J. (2024). Knowledge, perception and utilisation of pesticides among crop farmers in Northwest, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 20(2), 69–77. https://doi.org/10.4314/jagrenv.v20i2.7
Biesheuvel, M. M., Santman-Berends, I. M. G. A., Barkema, H. W., Ritter, C., Berezowski, J., Guelbenzu, M., & Kaler, J. (2021). Understanding farmers’ behavior and their decision-making process in the context of cattle diseases: A review of theories and approaches. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, Article 687699. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.687699
Boateng, K. O., Dankyi, E., Amponsah, I. K., Awudzi, G. K., Amponsah, E., & Darko, G. (2023). Knowledge, perception, and pesticide application practices among smallholder cocoa farmers in four Ghanaian cocoa-growing regions. Toxicology Reports, 10, 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.12.008
Collier, R. (2023). Pest insect management in vegetable crops grown outdoors in northern Europe: Approaches at the bottom of the IPM pyramid. Frontiers in Horticulture, 2, Article 1159375. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhort.2023.1159375
Conrad, F. G., & Schober, M. F. (2021). Clarifying question meaning in standardized interviews can improve data quality even though wording may change: A review of the evidence. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 24(2), 203–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2020.1824627
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Damalas, C. A., & Koutroubas, S. D. (2016). Farmers’ exposure to pesticides: Toxicity types and ways of prevention. Toxics, 4(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics4010001
Damalas, C. A., & Koutroubas, S. D. (2017). Farmers’ training on pesticide use is associated with elevated safety behavior. Toxics, 5(3), Article 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics5030019
Der, E., Ziem, J. B., Sagoe, K., Gyasi, R. K., & Anim, J. J. (2013). Acute atrazine food poisoning in Shaibupe: A farming community in Northern Ghana. World Journal of Medical and Surgical Case Reports, 2, 90–94.
Desye, B., Tesfaye, A. H., Daba, C., Alemseged, E. A., Angaw, Y., Ebrahim, A. M., Natnael, T., Hassen, S., & Woretaw, L. (2024). Pesticide safe use practice and acute health symptoms, and associated factors among farmers in developing countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis of an epidemiological evidence. BMC Public Health, 24, Article 3313. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20817-x
Dzobo, A. (2016). Knowledge, practices and self-reported symptoms of pesticides use among vegetable farmers: A cross-sectional study in Offinso North [Research report, University of Ghana]. University of Ghana repository. http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh
Feder, G., Murgai, R., & Quizon, J. B. (2004). Sending farmers back to school: The impact of farmer field schools in Indonesia. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 26(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9353.2003.00161.x
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2022). Keeping plants, people and the planet healthy with sustainable pest and pesticide management. FAO. [Publication URL to be verified.]
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2024). Integrated pest management. FAO. [Specific publication URL to be verified.]
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, & World Health Organization. (2025). Report of the 17th FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Management: Rome, Italy and online, 8–11 October 2024. FAO and WHO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd5049en
Ghana Statistical Service. (2021). Ghana 2021 population and housing census: General report volume 3A—Population of regions and districts. Ghana Statistical Service.
Goeb, J., & Lupi, F. (2021). Showing pesticides’ true colors: The effects of a farmer-to-farmer training program on pesticide knowledge. Journal of Environmental Management, 279, Article 111821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111821
Goeb, J., Smart, J., Snyder, J., & Tschirley, D. (2021). Information, pesticide safety behaviors, and toxicity risk perceptions: Evidence from Zambia and Mozambique (IFPRI Discussion Paper 2118). International Food Policy Research Institute. https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.135883
Green, J. P., Tonidandel, S., & Cortina, J. M. (2016). Getting through the gate: Statistical and methodological issues raised in the reviewing process. Organizational Research Methods, 19(3), 402–432. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428116631417
Hyde-Cooper, W., Tham-Agyekum, E. K., Bakang, J.-E. A., Ntem, S., Ankuyi, F., & Mohammed, R. (2024). Cocoa farmer’s use of approved pesticides and compliance with safety standards in Obuasi Municipality, Ghana. International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.46676/ij-fanres.v5i2.312
JoyNews. (2019, June 14). Agric ministry triggers interventions to contain reemerging Fall Army Worms. MyJoyOnline. https://www.myjoyonline.com/agric-ministry-triggers-interventions-to-contain-reemerging-fall-army-worms/
Kangavari, M., Sarvi, M., Afshari, M., & Maleki, S. (2024). Understanding determinants related to farmers’ protective measures towards pesticide exposure: A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 19(2), Article e0298450. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298450
Kangogo, E., Otieno, D. J., Okello, J., Mwenye, O., & Kapalasa, E. (2024). Impact of farmer training on potato yield: A case of smallholder potato farmers in Malawi. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, Article 1496064. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1496064
Karunamoorthi, K., Mohammed, M., & Wassie, F. (2012). Knowledge and practices of farmers with reference to pesticide management: Implications on human health. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 67(2), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2011.598891
Keleb, A., Ademas, A., Abebe, M., Berihun, G., Desye, B., & Bezie, A. E. (2024). Knowledge of health risks, safety practices, acute pesticide poisoning, and associated factors among farmers in rural irrigation areas of northeastern Ethiopia. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, Article 1474487. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1474487
Knott, E., Rao, A. H., Summers, K., & Teeger, C. (2022). Interviews in the social sciences. Nature Reviews Methods Primers, 2, Article 73. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-022-00150-6
Kumah, E. K., Arah, I. K., Anku, E. K., Akuaku, J., & Aidoo, M. K. (2023). Determination of levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in some common grown and consumed vegetables purchased from Ho Municipal markets, Ghana. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 9(1), Article 2191810. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2191810
Mattah, M. M., Mattah, P. A. D., & Futagbi, G. (2015). Pesticide application among farmers in the catchment of Ashaiman irrigation scheme of Ghana: Health implications. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2015, Article 547272. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/547272
Matthews, G. A. (2008). Attitudes and behaviours regarding use of crop protection products—A survey of more than 8500 smallholders in 26 countries. Crop Protection, 27(3–5), 834–846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2007.10.013
Mbatchou, V. C., Yunusah, O. D., & Iddrisu, U. F. (2024). Effects of pesticide residues on the growth and yield of vegetables at Navrongo of Ghana. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 5, Article 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-024-00252-z
Möhring, N., Wuepper, D., Musa, T., & Finger, R. (2020). Why farmers deviate from recommended pesticide timing: The role of uncertainty and information. Pest Management Science, 76(8), 2787–2798. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5826
National Center for Health Statistics. (2024, April 16). Question evaluation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ccqder/question-evaluation/index.html
Natukunda, Y. (2014). Factors that influence profitability of poultry farming enterprises in Kira Town Council, Wakiso District–Uganda [Master’s dissertation, Uganda Management Institute]. Uganda Management Institute Institutional Repository. [Repository URL to be verified.]
Nketiah, V., Ofosu-Anim, J., Cornelius, E. W., Kotey, D. A., & Tetteh, R. (2023). Response of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to preemergence application of oxadiargyl and pendimethalin. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 14, Article 100865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100865
Norvivor, F. A., Peprah, E. K., Danso, D., & Konutse, O. W. (2025). Occupational pesticide exposure and safety assessment among farmers in Hohoe municipality: An ethnographic qualitative study. PLOS ONE, 20(12), Article e0337693. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0337693
Northern Presbyterian Agricultural Services and Partners. (2012). Ghana’s pesticide crisis: The need for further government action. https://curtisresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/NPAS.Pesticides-Report.-Final.-17-April-2012.pdf
Ntow, W. J., Tagoe, L. M., Drechsel, P., Kelderman, P., Gijzen, H. J., & Nyarko, E. (2008). Accumulation of persistent organochlorine contaminants in milk and serum of farmers from Ghana. Environmental Research, 106(1), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2007.05.020
Oesterlund, A. H., Thomsen, J. F., Sekimpi, D. K., Maziina, J., Racheal, A., & Jørs, E. (2014). Pesticide knowledge, practice and attitude and how it affects the health of small-scale farmers in Uganda: A cross-sectional study. African Health Sciences, 14(2), 420–433. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v14i2.19
Odonkor, F. C., & Odonkor, S. T. (2026). Ghanaian farmers’ perspectives on pesticides: Balancing use and environmental sustainability. Crop Protection, 201, Article 107458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2025.107458
Osei, B. M., & Boadu, V. G. (2021). Assessment of farmer’s usage of pesticides on cocoa farms at Sefwi Wiawso District in the Western Region of Ghana. Global Journal of Agricultural Research, 9(2), 1–13. [No DOI assigned.]
Otoo, J., Musah, R., Olita, T., Ireland, K. B., & Zerihun, A. (2024). Knowledge and perception of cereal farmers and extension agents on fungicide use in northern Ghana. Pest Management Science, 80(9), 4207–4215. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8124
Plianbangchang, P., Jetiyanon, K., & Wittaya-Areekul, S. (2009). Pesticide use patterns among small-scale farmers: A case study from Phitsanulok, Thailand. The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 40(2), 401–410. [DOI supplied in the original list should be verified against the article.]
Quisumbing, A. R., & Doss, C. R. (2021). Gender in agriculture and food systems. In C. B. Barrett & D. R. Just (Eds.), Handbook of agricultural economics (Vol. 5, pp. 4481–4549). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.hesagr.2021.10.009
Sharma, D. R., Thapa, R. B., Manandhar, H. K., Shrestha, S. M., & Pradhan, S. B. (2019). Use of pesticides in Nepal and impacts on human health and environment. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 14, 1–10.
Ssekkadde, P. (2025). Educational intervention effects on pesticide-related knowledge, attitudes, practices, exposure, and health among Ugandan smallholder farmers: A cluster randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2025.1608952
Ssekkadde, P., Jonitz, V. M. J., Atuhaire, A., Brugger, C., Dalvie, M. A., Rother, H.-A., Röösli, M., Inauen, J., & Fuhrimann, S. (2026). Behavior changes through educational interventions and text messaging to improve personal protective equipment use during pesticide handling among smallholder farmers in Uganda: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of Environmental Management, 400, Article 128760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.128760
Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209–249. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660
Tambo, J. A., Mbugua, F., Duah, S. A., Oppong-Mensah, B., Ocloo, C. Y., & Williams, F. (2023). Pest risk information, agricultural outcomes and food security: Evidence from Ghana. Food Security, 15(6), 1667–1683. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-023-01398-w
Tayea, W. (2023). Farmers’ understanding on pesticide safety labels in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2023.2275713. [Volume, issue, and article number should be confirmed from the publisher.]
Tennhardt, L. M., Lazzarini, G. A., Schader, C., Martin, K. (2024). The role of household labour for sustainable intensification in smallholder systems: A case study in cocoa farming systems. Regional Environmental Change, 24, Article 83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-024-02243-2
Tudi, M., Daniel Ruan, H., Wang, L., Lyu, J., Sadler, R., Connell, D., Chu, C., & Phung, D. T. (2021). Agriculture development, pesticide application and its impact on the environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), Article 1112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031112
Waddington, H., Snilstveit, B., Hombrados, J. G., Vojtkova, M., Phillips, D., Davies, P., & White, H. (2014). Farmer field schools for improving farming practices and farmer outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.4073/csr.2014.6
Walcott, R., Cohen, I., & Ferris, D. (2024). When who matters: Interviewer effects and survey modality. Evaluation Review, 48(6), 1024–1049. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X231221303
Winkler, M. S. (2026). Assessing the effect of a two-day training on understanding and use of pesticide label pictograms and safety information: A cluster randomized controlled trial among Ugandan smallholder farmers. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2026.2627216
World Health Organization, & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2020). Guidelines for personal protection when handling and applying pesticides: International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240000223
Zhang, Y., Bedoussac, L., Zhang, C., Cong, W.-F., Guinet, M., Nandillon, R., & Munier-Jolain, N. (2024). Pesticide use is affected more by crop species than by crop diversity at the cropping system level. European Journal of Agronomy, 159, Article 127263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2024.127263
Zimba, M., & Zimudzi, C. (2016). Pesticide management practices among rural market gardening farmers near Harare, Zimbabwe. South African Journal of Science, 112(9–10), Article 2015-0443. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2016/20150443
Copyright (c) 2026 Afishata Mohammed Abujaja, Jacob Pwoawuvi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
