Analysis of Sociodemographic Factors and Pesticide Management Practices among Vegetable Farmers in Abidjan and Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
Edwige Pamela Assalé *
Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny, P.O. Box 1313 Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire and Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
Emile S. F. Tchicaya
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire and Laboratory of Entomology Medicale, Péléforo Gon Coulibaly University, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
Mathias Danho
Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny, P.O. Box 1313 Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire .
Firmain N’Dri Yokoli
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire and Biology and Animal Cytology, Laboratory, Natural Sciences, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801, Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Bleu Jean-Philippe Tia
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire and Biology and Animal Cytology, Laboratory, Natural Sciences, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801, Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Benjamin Guibéhi Koudou
Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire and Biology and Animal Cytology, Laboratory, Natural Sciences, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801, Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Thibaud Martin
International Agronomic Research Centre for Development (Cirad), Université FH Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and Cirad, UPR HortSys, Université de Montpellier, France.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The use of pesticides in market gardening presents challenges for the management of agricultural practices across various cropping systems in Côte d'Ivoire, where demand for fresh vegetables continues to increase.
Objective: This study aims to analyse the sociodemographic characteristics influencing pesticide use and management among market gardeners in the region.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 128 vegetable growers in Abidjan and Bouaké from 2022 to 2024. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and tests of proportions.
Results: Overall, 95.31% of the market gardeners interviewed were men, and 42.19% had no formal education. Of the pesticides recorded, 30% in Abidjan and 42.86% in Bouaké were banned or unregistered. In Abidjan, 20% of the pesticides belonged to toxicological class Ia, whereas 17% in Bouaké belonged to class Ib. Several risky practices were observed: 82.81% and 71.87% of market gardeners purchased pesticides from market vendors; 76.56% and 79.69% disposed of empty pesticide containers in fields or natural environments; 79.69% and 67.19% did not understand the hazard pictograms; and 73.43% and 59.37% stored pesticides in their fields in Abidjan and Bouaké, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings indicate pesticide-management practices that may pose risks to farmers, consumers and the environment. Strengthening health education, improving access to training and promoting agroecological practices are necessary to reduce pesticide exposure.
Keywords: Pesticide management, market gardening, sociodemographic factors, pesticide safety, hazardous pesticides, farmer training, hazard pictograms, urban agriculture, empty-container disposal