| Popis: |
The application of agrochemicals in agroforestry systems in general and cocoa-based agroforestry systems in particular is unprecedented as agroforestry systems are considered as environmentally benign, agro-ecological and sustainable agricultural systems. It was within this context that this study was undertaken to examine the determinants of cocoa farmers’ use of agrochemical in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Through a mixed research approach, and data analysis using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools, it was found that the main types of herbicides used by cocoa farmers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems are Paraquat (50%) and Glyphosate (40%). For fungicides, the main types used were Mancozeb (70%), Maneb (65%), Ridomil (60%), Caocobre (50%), and Nordox (40%). For insecticides, the main types used were Methyl (65%), Imidacloprid (60%), Endosulfan (50%), Cypermethrin (50%), and Fenobucarp (40%). The most common pests and diseases affecting cocoa perceived by cocoa farmers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems were Black pod – Phytophtora spp (100%), Capsid/Mirids – Distantiella theobroma and Sahlbergella singularis (100%), Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease – CSSVD (60%), Witches’ broom – Crinipellis perniciosa (50%) and Vascular streak dieback (40%). Most cocoa farmers perceived that the use of all three agrochemicals (herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides) in cocoa-based agroforestry systems have negative socio-economic and environmental impacts. From Spearman rank correlation and logistic regression coefficients, it was noticed that the main explanatory variables having a statistically significant direct non-cause-effect and cause-effect relationship (p |
