The human cost of hazardous pesticides
When approved inputs, land, labour and credit are out of reach, cocoa farmers turn to Highly Hazardous Pesticides. We asked them what that costs their health β and their environment.
Measuring the felt effects
Inadequate access to approved inputs, land, labour and credit is compelling cocoa farmers to patronize Highly Hazardous Pesticides.
With funds from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Conservation Alliance undertook a preliminary study of the gender dynamics of HHP use in Ghana's cocoa landscape β assessing farmers' knowledge and the perceived effects of pesticides on humans and the environment.
Most farmers agree pesticides affect their health and surroundings β though some cannot connect their discomfort to the spraying, and conclude there is no effect at all.
What farmers experienced after spraying
Share of cocoa farmers reporting each effect following pesticide application.
Not everyone connects the dots
Strongly disagreed
About 1 in 9 farmers strongly disagreed that pesticides have any effect on health or the environment.
Most Agree
The majority of farmers agree or strongly agree that pesticides affect their health and environment.
A Hidden Link
Some cannot link their discomfort to spraying β and so conclude, wrongly, that there is no effect.
The pesticides research series
Protect the people who grow our cocoa
Our evidence makes the health case for safer pest management. Help us turn it into training, access and change on the farm.