Smallholder Farmers’ Risk Perceptions of Agrochemical Use in Morogoro District, Tanzania

Abstract

Although the widespread use of agrochemicals by smallholder farmers has contributed to improved crop production, their inappropriate application has raised serious concerns regarding human health and environmental degradation. The study aimed to understand the smallholder farmers’ risk perceptions of agrochemical use in Morogoro District, Tanzania. The study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods research design. It used a systematic random sampling technique to select 387 household heads to participate in the study. In addition, purposive sampling technique was used to select 7 key informants for in-depth interviews and 21 participants for the focus group discussions. The data were collected through in-depth interview of key informants, focus group discussions and a household questionnaire survey. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyses quantitative data through IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20, whereas qualitative data were analysed through qualitative content analysis using NVivo Version 12. The results show that respondents had a moderate perception of the environmental and human health risks associated with agrochemical use (overall weighted mean = 3.15). Additionally, ordinal logistic regression results showed that respondents’ risk perceptions of agrochemical use were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by age, education level, extension services, farmer group membership, awareness of environmental regulations, and training on chemical use. The study concludes that farmers had moderate risk perceptions of agrochemical use, and these perceptions were influenced by socio-economic and institutional factors. It is recommended that the government strengthen extension services and awareness programmes to promote safer agrochemical practices.