A newfangled CABI - led study has found that aggregative media campaign aim at change pesticide use to struggle crop pesterer and diseases are more effective when farmers are exposed to multiple kind of communication .
CABI scientists collaborated with colleagues from the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Department Board ( RAB ) to consider the effects of aggregative medium campaigns on pesticide use among smallholder Fannie Farmer in Rwanda and Uganda .
They found that campaigns ameliorate farmers ’ knowledge of pesticide risks and safety measures , advance the espousal of environmentally good alternatives to synthetic pesticides , and increase the use of personal protective equipment .
Dr. Justice Tambo , the leading generator of the report , which was bring out in the Journal of Rural Studies , sound out that the changes in behavior regarding pesticide use are more pronounced when farmers are expose to multiple entropy channels .
These mass media channels include interactive radio , plant health rallies , mobile SMS , and telecasting screenings .
In Rwanda , for example , the likelihood of take multiple Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) practice session increased by about 19 % , 38 % , and 50 % when the information is received through Radio only , Radio and SMS and Radio , SMS and Public Health Rallies , respectively .
Dr. Tambo said , “ We find that the aggregated media campaigns are importantly link with improved Fannie Merritt Farmer knowledge of pesticide risk of infection and safety safeguard .
“ While the campaigns come along not to have discouraged the consumption of man-made pesticides , they are significantly associated with increase adoption of safer choice to pesticides , including sustainable integrated cuss management practice . ”
Dr. Tambo added that the military campaign are also significantly correlated with the increase role of protective equipment against pesticide exposure in both country and reduced incidence of pesticide - bear on illnesses in Rwanda .
To encourage safe pesticide function among farm family in Rwanda and Uganda , CABI , in coaction with RAB and Uganda ’s Ministry of Agriculture , Animal Industries and Fisheries ( MAAIF ) and several local collaborator , implemented information campaigns in major gamboge - produce surface area of the two countries as part of the CABI - lead Plantwise plan .
The channels used were wireless , peregrine SMS , and PHRs in Rwanda , and radio , mobile SMS , and video masking in Uganda . The campaign messages were fork over in the Kinyarwanda and Runyoro language of Rwanda and Uganda , severally .
Radio was the most popular source of pesticide information in both countries , specially in Uganda .
Dr. Tambo say , “ The proliferation of ICTs in developing commonwealth can allow the dispersal of information to a extensive range of farmers through aggregate metier campaigns , thereby complement the efforts of traditional face - to - boldness information delivery methods .
“ Our finding also highlight other actions needed to improve pesticide safety practices in the report countries besides info interposition .
“ For instance , give the increased exercise of toxic synthetic pesticide without or with limited protective equipment , insurance policy campaign are needed to increase the supply and economic consumption of downcast - risk pesticides such as biopesticides , alongside the promotion of PPE use to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure .
“ Such efforts could include improving the enrolment of biopesticide products and providing subsidies to spur borrowing , as highlight by previous research . ”
The scientist also found that the receipt of pesticide safety information is significantly associated with an almost 20 % higher likelihood of using multiple PPE items while spraying pesticides in both state .
In addition , the researchers report that smallholder farmers in Rwanda who received safety advice were 48 % less probable than their non - recipient twin to experience a pesticide - related health symptom .
Dr. Tambo added that the report contributes to the pesticide risk reduction goal of the PlantwisePlus program , which aims to reduce the trust on high - endangerment farm inputs that have inauspicious effect on human health and biodiversity . An additional welfare is to bring towards meeting the need for secure and topically produced nutrient .
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