Safety Impact and Farmers’ Awareness of Presence of Pesticide Residues in Tomatoes Cultivated with the Aid of Pesticides in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State Nigeria

This study investigated the safety of tomatoes cultivated with pesticides in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. A mixed method approach was employed, incorporating field surveys with laboratory analyses. Purposive sampling was utilized to select 320 tomato farmers. The structured questionnaire utilized has high Cronbachs Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.963, indicating strong internal consistency. The results revealed a dominance of organophosphate and carbamate use by farmers, with over 54 n=175 reporting using organophosphates and nearly 23 n=75 utilizing carbamates. Cost and perceived effectiveness against pests were identified as the primary drivers for pesticide selection. Interestingly, consumer awareness of pesticide use in tomato cultivation was high, with over 81 n=260 of respondents acknowledging this practice. However, a significant knowledge gap was evident, as farmers reported limited understanding of the potential health impacts associated with pesticide residues. This concern was further amplified by consumer reports, with over 35 n=115 experiencing headaches and nearly 6 n=20 suffering from mild stomach upset after consuming tomatoes. To objectively assess potential risks, laboratory analyses were conducted on tomato samples collected from various farms. The QuEChERS method was employed to detect pesticide residues. The analyses confirmed the presence of organophosphate and carbamate residues in some tomato samples. Furthermore, a concerning finding was that exceeding the established Maximum Residue Levels MRLs set for safe human consumption occurred in some samples. For instance, tomatoes from Ugbenu exhibited a carbamate residue Carbaryl concentration of 1.20 mg kg, exceeding the MRL of 1.0 mg kg. In conclusion, this study highlights potential safety issues associated with current pesticide use practices in tomato farming within the study area. The dominance of organophosphate and carbamate use, coupled with consumer reports of health concerns, suggests a need for intervention. The findings underscore the importance of improved regulations on pesticide application, along with educational programs for farmers to enhance their understanding of safe handling and application techniques. Additionally, increased consumer awareness campaigns are crucial to promote informed choices and encourage safer consumption practices. By implementing these measures, a more sustainable and secure tomato production system can be established, ultimately improving the overall tomato value chain not only in Delta State but across Nigeria. Dr. (Mrs.) Sogbaike, C | Mr. Akpobire, O | Mr. Aderha, O | Mr. Sogbaike, T "Safety Impact and Farmers' Awareness of Presence of Pesticide Residues in Tomatoes Cultivated with the Aid of Pesticides in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State Nigeria" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-8 | Issue-3 , June 2024, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd64850.pdf Paper Url: https://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/64850/safety-impact-and-farmers'-awareness-of-presence-of-pesticide-residues-in-tomatoes-cultivated-with-the-aid-of-pesticides-in-ethiope-west-local-government-area-delta-state-nigeria/dr-mrs-sogbaike-c