Risks Associated with the Use of Insecticides in Cowpea Conservation

Abstract

The use of insecticides by actors in the cowpea value chain highlights the problem of the supposed or real risks of these products with respect to man and his environment. To assess the health and environmental risks generated by these insecticides, we conducted surveys of 100 cowpea producers, 100 insecticide traders, 100 cowpea traders and 100 consumers. According to the results of the surveys, 13 chemicals including 7 pyrethroids, 4 organophosphates and 2 organochlorines are used by cowpea producers and traders in the conservation of cowpea in the central region. Among these insecticides only 2 are approved and the 11 others come from neighboring countries of Burkina Faso, namely Ghana and Togo, despite the control of plant protection and packaging services. The majority of actors surveyed are illiterate (95%). The lack of training and ignorance of the regulations in force on pesticides by insecticide traders, the misuse of chemicals before and after use are factors of environmental pollution. The lack of appropriate protective equipment, ignorance of the existence of approved products and poor food storage conditions create food poisoning among consumers and serious health risks for farmers and traders.