Exposure of market gardeners during pesticide application in the western highlands of Cameroon

The effects of economic crisis that hit Cameroon in the late 1980s made the state to stop the direct subvention of farmers by buying, distributing and following up of farmers in the use of pesticides. Farmers turned from the use of pesticides on conventional crops such as coffee and cocoa to the spray of vegetables without a strict follow up by the state. This study was carried out in Galim, Bamboutous Division in the West Region of Cameroon. Primary data was obtained from farmers, SubDivisional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development, Zonal Extension Worker, Representatives of Common Initiative Groups as well as Chiefs of agricultural posts. This study revealed that market gardeners in Galim were highly exposed to pesticides showed by the negligent use of personal protective equipment where only 2.1% used appropriate coveralls; up to 76.6 % of farmers do not respect pesticide instructions and consequently do not know the risk of pesticide and high level of acute toxicities of 61.7%, due to the use of large quantities of toxic pesticides (WHO Class II). Farmers should be trained on pesticide safety precaution scheme, covering safety to operators, consumers, wildlife and the environment as a whole and carry out the same study in other vegetable production basins of the country.