Types of fertilisers and pesticides used in vegetable production Sample Clauses

Types of fertilisers and pesticides used in vegetable production. Both areas utilize chemical fertilizer and pesticides in vegetable production. Commonly used fertilizers include Calcium Amonium Nitrate (CAN), UREA and 23:21:0+4S (chitowe). Most pesticides used were common for all the study villages, though a few were particular in other sites. In irrigated crops, the widely used chemical was Karate (43% of respondents) followed by Logo (13%), cypermethrine (11%) and Dithane (10%). Tomato (29%) was the most sprayed crop followed by mustard (11%), then onion, cabbage and rape (10%) and potato (8%). It was learnt from key informants and focus group discussion that banned chemicals such as DDT were also used by farmers. however, their application was not captured in the household interviews probably due to sensitivity of the issue. It was registered that very few (6%) farmers did not use pesticides. The pesticides are sourced from surrounding markets including Mozambican side for Njolomole EPA. Different tools are used for pesticide application and observation of safety days varied by individuals and seasons, and not necessarily by instructions. Similarly, the frequency of application varied from village to village and by seasons. The study also established that, in Njolomole, farmers use locally found indigenous pesticides especially when they have no money for chemical pesticides. However, the waiting period and dosages varied from one village to another suggesting a need for a study to determine the safety period as well as recommended application modes and dosages for these products. From farmers perspective, these indigenous pesticides are effective and affordable for the farmers compared to chemical pesticides.