Impacts Assessment of Farmers’ Knowledge in Using Pesticides on Agricultural Productivity in Bugesera District, Rwanda

Abstract

Nowadays, the use of pesticides in modern agriculture has increased due to the heightened strain from insects and weeds on animal and crop health. This study aimed to assess the impacts of farmers' knowledge in using pesticides on agricultural productivity in the Bugesera district, the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Data were collected from the fifteen sectors of the study area using questionnaires, with 399 respondents selected through random and purposive sampling techniques. SPSS software was used for data analysis, which was summarized using contingency tables and graphs. Correlation analysis was done to assess the link between farmers' knowledge of pesticide use and agricultural productivity in across sub-locations. The study revealed that the level of pesticide use in the Bugesera district was very low, at just 17%, and only 22% of farmers had good level of knowledge about pesticide use. Vegetables were the first crops sprayed by farmers, accounting for 82% of the total crop types to which pesticides were applied in the Bugesera district. Moreover, vegetable yields increased from 9t/ha to 9.475 t/ha following pesticide application. The study found a significant positive correlation between farmers’ knowledge of pesticide use and agricultural productivity at the 0.01 level (r=0.509,p<0.01). Enhanced farmers’ knowledge of pesticide use and the proper application of pesticides can reduce yield loss and boost agricultural productivity. It is recommended that the Bugesera district can provide the incentive scheme to the innovative farmers and encourage them to serve as role models for others. This would promote the adoption of appropriate pesticide use practices and adherence to sound agricultural principles in chemical pesticide application.