Analysis of Phytosanitary Practices in Vegetable Growing with a view to the Adoption of Good Practices in the Bapla Farming Area in the South-West Region (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

Vegetable producers on the Bapla site use a wide range of methods to manage pests on vegetable crops; however, chemical fertilisers and pesticides are used almost systematically, despite the harmful effects of these chemicals on the environment and climate change, and on the health of producers and consumers. The phytosanitary analysis carried out in this study on this production perimeter aims to take an overview of the current practices in terms of the protection of vegetable crops, with a view to adopting good practices in the protection of the crops grown there. A sample of 50 growers was surveyed using a survey questionnaire prepared with Sphinx software. The study revealed that 98% of the growers surveyed systematically use chemical pesticides to protect their produce, although 96% are aware of the toxicity of these products. Some growers use plant extracts as biopesticides from time to time. The survey reveals that only 02% use biopesticides as an alternative to chemical pesticides. 75% of the vegetable growers surveyed were aware of biopesticides, compared with 25% who were unaware of their existence. As for the effectiveness of biopesticides, 77% of those who were aware of their existence and had already used them said they were effective. The study reveals that the availability of biopesticides and the time and effort required to formulate them are constraints on their use. 72.09% of growers advocate the availability of effective biopesticides at affordable prices. At the end of this study, it emerged, firstly, that there is an urgent need for ongoing training and retraining for farmers in the rational use of chemical pesticides, and secondly, that farmers need to be made aware of the need to promote the integrated management of crop pests. This will be done by building capacity in the formulation of biopesticides effective against pests and in the application techniques for these plant protection products.