The Perception and Knowledge of Insecticides and Weedicides, Use and Safety Precautions among Chemical Sellers, Farmers and Home Tenants in Kumasi, Ghana

The Perception and Knowledge of Insecticides and Weedicides, Use and Safety Precautions among Chemical Sellers, Farmers and Home Tenants in Kumasi, Ghana

Many farmers, home tenants and chemical sellers are ignorant of the effective and safe use of insecticides and Weedicides. Most farmers and home tenants lack the expertise to use insecticides and Weedicides effectively and safely without causing harm to themselves or the environment. Moreover, some chemical sellers do not have adequate knowledge of the chemicals (insecticides and Weedicides) they sell and are unable to give appropriate directions or instructions on their use to customers. To ascertain their knowledge, questionnaires were constructed and used to interview 60 respondents (20 chemical sellers, 20 farmers and 20 home tenants) in selected areas in the Kumasi metropolis. The results revealed that of the respondents interviewed, 45% of chemical sellers, 60% of farmers and 70% of home tenants had no idea of the chemical composition of the insecticides and/or Weedicides which they were using or selling.