ASSESSMENT OF EXTENT OF SYNTHETIC PESTICIDE UTILIZATION IN BIYO AWALE DISTRICT, DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION REGION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Pesticides include naturally occurring and man-made substances which are used to control destructive pests such as insects, plant disease organisms, and weeds. Without protection provided by pesticides the average crop loss due to pests and weeds in Ethiopia is estimated to reach 80% percent annually. As a result farmers in Biyo Awale district have been widely using synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in agricultural production to prevent or control arthropod pests (e.g., insects, mites) weeds, and other plant pathogens in an effort to reduce or eliminate yield losses and maintain high product quality. The general objective of this study was to assess the extent of synthetic pesticide utilization, and its impact on human health and non-target organisms that are of great importance in their ecosystem services. The method followed a random sampling strategy, and 75 farmers were selected randomly from 10 villages in Biyo Awalle district and they were face to face interviewed with 27 questionnaires for data collection. Findings revealed that farmers in the study area use synthetic pesticides such as Malathion and DDT extensively. Results also showed that farmers of the study area have low level of awareness on the risks associated with the use of synthetic pesticides. Because 33.3% of farmers in the study area were non educated they couldn’t read and follow the instructions on pesticides containers, and 65% of farmers did not have training on safe handling and application of synthetic pesticides. More than 64% of respondents do not know that synthetic pesticides pollute environment, degrade the quality of water which can be related to the damage caused on non-target organisms. Regarding human health impact more than 90% of respondents were faced some health discomfort in dealing with synthetic pesticides. Symptoms of health discomforts reported were eye irritation followed by headache, skin irritation, nausea and vomiting. xiv Therefore, intensification of extension services to educate farmers on safe use of pesticides in crop production is recommended.