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Abstract

Opoku-Asiama, M., J.A. Kwarteng, P. Mathias-Braun, and O.F. Deji. 2011. Information support for pesticide management in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: gender and environmental implications. JEMREST 7:34-41

DOI: 10.4029/2011jemrest7no003

About 80 percent of farmers in the Ga East and West districts of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana use pesticides. Although pesticides are considered an essential aspect of making a significant contribution to increase agricultural production in Africa, the dangers posed by their misuse can override the benefits. Women in Ghana contribute immensely to agricultural production and are therefore included in this study. Effective dissemination of Pesticide Management Information (PMI) among small-scale farmers requires an environmental assessment to identify available information sources for proper and appropriate adoption. Therefore, a descriptive - correlation survey design was used to determine the sources of PMI as well as their effectiveness by 150 small-scale farmers. Results from this survey indicate that gender of the farmer had no significant association with availability of any of the (PMI) sources in the study area. Although agricultural extension agents (AEAs) were the third most important and readily available source of PMI to the farmers, they were rated as the most effective. Pesticide dealers were considered by small-scale farmers as effective sources of PMI.