Estimation Of Postharvest Losses And Analysis Of Insecticide Residues In Some Selected Vegetable Crops In The Greater Accra Region Of Ghana
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University of Ghana
Abstract
Small-scale farmers in the Greater Accra region of Ghana grow vegetable crops
including tomato, cabbage, pepper, okra and garden eggs and apply many types of
pesticides to control pests and diseases that attack these crops. This study was
conducted in the Accra Metropolitan District, Adenta Municipal District, Ashaiman
Municipal District, Dangme West District, Ga South Municipal District and Ga West
Municipal District. The purpose of the study was to estimate the postharvest losses in
the seleted vegetable crops incurred by the farmers and retail traders, determine
pesticide use pattern of vegetable farmers and analyse specifically, the level of
insecticide residues in okra sent to the market. The communities studied included
Weija, Kojo Ashong, Kordeabe, Dawenya, Dzorwulu, Obaakruwa, Ashaiman,
Atomic, Okushiabade and Onyaasanaa. A total of 100 farmers and 75 retailers were
randomly selected for the studies. The various methods used for the study included
questionnaire administration, physical observations and personal interviews. The
vegetable farmers and traders were interviewed and both closed and open ended
questionnaires were administered to them from November 2011 – March 2012 to
assess the extent of postharvest loss and pesticide use pattern of the farmers. Okra
samples from four farms namely Weija, Dawenya, Atomic and Ashaiman were sent to
the Ghana Standard Authority for analysis of insecticide residues. It was confirmed
that postharvest losses was a major problem experienced by vegetable crop farmers
and traders. The losses were mostly caused by pests and diseases and poor handling.
As a result farmers sprayed chemical pesticides to control them in order to meet
market demands. From the study, percent estimated losses by farmers were 13% for
cabbage and okra, 12% for pepper, 1% for eggplant, and 20% for tomato. About 15%,
7%, 8% and 10% were estimated lossess for cabbage, pepper and okra respectively.
Loss for garden eggs was insignificant due to their ability to maintain their freshness
till they were sold to consumers. Commonly applied insecticides included Auntie
Ataa, Golan, Cydim Super, Attack; fungicides included Sulpur 80, Bendazim,
Mangozeb and herbicides were Round up, Ejumawura and Paraquat. Only 5% of 100
farmers interviewed used neem extracts to control pests and diseases. Most farmers’
sprayed pesticides themselves but 10% employed skilled labour and the pesticide
application was usually done in the mornings or evenings. Knowledge on the correct
pesticide application was obtained from Ministry of Food and Agriculture staffs,
pesticide dealers and colleague farmers. The farmers also attested to the fact that the
chemical pesticides used were poisonous and caused various health hazards. Some
compounds detected from the test conducted in the laboratory indicated the presence
of Alpha-Endosulfan, Endrin, Fenvalerate, P,P’-DDE and Ethoprophos. The results
generated indicated that the okra samples that were tested for insecticide residues
were below EU’s Minimum Residue Levels (MRLs).
Description
Thesis (MPhil)- University of Ghana, 2013