Knowledge, attitudes and practices as determinants of compliance with pesticide-use guidelines among horticultural farmers in Babati district, Tanzania
Paper Details
Knowledge, attitudes and practices as determinants of compliance with pesticide-use guidelines among horticultural farmers in Babati district, Tanzania
Abstract
The use of pesticides is still prevalent in vegetable farming in Tanzania. This cross-sectional study examined associations between farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and reported practices and compliance with pesticide-use guidelines among 185 horticultural farmers in three wards of Babati District. The data from a structured 5-point Likert question was analyzed by frequency count, Pearson correlation and standardized multiple regression (n = 185). The majority of farmers were male (71.0%) and aged more than 45 years (49.7%), while the majority also had primary education (94.8%). There was high agreement on purchasing pesticides in original containers (99.5%) and health-risk awareness (84.3%), but low agreement on reading pesticide labels (15.7%), understanding pesticide hazard symbols (5.4%), being aware of official pesticide guidelines (3.2%), use of personal protective equipment (PPE) (37.9%), record-keeping (5.4%), and sprayer calibration (1.6%). Knowledge (r = 0.544), practices (r = 0.431) and attitudes (r = 0.321) correlated positively with compliance (p < 0.01). The regression model was significant, F(3, 181) = 29.64, p < 0.001, adjusted R² = 0.318. Knowledge (β = 0.451, p < 0.001) and practices (β = 0.233, p = 0.005) independently predicted compliance; attitudes did not (β = −0.052, p = 0.524). Extra emphasis should be put on a literacy-sensitive extension, and practical training and low-cost protective equipment.
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George Mwakatobe*, Deus Ngaruko , Felician Mutasa, 2026. Knowledge, attitudes and practices as determinants of compliance with pesticide-use guidelines among horticultural farmers in Babati district, Tanzania. Int. J. Agron. Agric. Res., 29(4), 1-9.
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