A new study published in Frontiers in Agronomy has found that training farmers in agroecological practices helps to protect them from the harmful impacts of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). It also increases their income.
Over 700 vegetable farmers in Ethiopia’s Lake Ziway region took part in a programme to promote agroecology as a pathway to transition away from a heavy dependence on HHPs. HHPs such as organophosphate insecticides are responsible for a high number of serious health and environmental impacts, frequently associated with incidents of both intentional and unintentional pesticide poisoning. These poisonings can result in a range of symptoms from severe headaches and dizziness to tremors and seizures.
Lake Ziway horticulture is notorious for high levels of pesticide use, with numerous studies from the region revealing acute pesticide poisoning amongst farmers as well as pesticide contamination of the lake and fish, an important source of food and income for the local community.
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By implementing a range of agroecological practices, 70% of farmers stopped using organophosphate insecticides. Where organophosphate insecticide use continued, a 96% reduction in application rate was observed. Survey data subsequently showed a 73% reduction in pesticide poisoning compared to baseline reports. Farmers also observed a 9% higher average net income for their agroecological onion plots in comparison with conventional onion plots. This notable increase in profit was mainly due to savings in pesticide costs as comparable yields were maintained.
Gemeda Kebero Tufe, Field Co-ordinator at PAN Ethiopia said, “We were told by many extension agents that it was not possible to grow vegetables in the Lake Ziway area without using synthetic pesticides. This project has proven that it’s not only possible, but farmers have been able to maintain yields and even increase income from their crop, while protecting their health and the environment.”
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How were farmers trained?
Farmer Field Schools provided practical training each week on farmers’ participatory plots, where farmers learned a variety of agroecological integrated pest management (IPM) methods to manage pests without HHPs. Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and discussion were encouraged. By working closely with farmers in a participatory approach, the team also succeeded in adapting and integrating a “food spray” method to encourage beneficial insects that prey on onion and tomato pests into the crop.
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What is ‘food spray’?
The ‘food spray’ method (originally developed for use on cotton crops) works by establishing insect habitat borders, applying a locally produced yeast or maize-based ‘food spray’ to attract predatory insects, and avoiding broad spectrum insecticides which disrupt or kill these natural pest enemies. As part of this study, 85% of trained farmers surveyed at the end of the study adopted food spray and habitat strips of alfalfa or maize. Additionally, 60% of farmers avoided the use of insecticides which are harmful to natural enemies, providing a boost to biodiversity and supporting natural ecosystems.
Assaminew Negussie, Community Field Agent at PAN Ethiopia said, “The ‘food spray’ method is a win-win, protecting farmers’ health and encouraging biodiversity. It mimics the chemical signals of feeding pests to attract predatory insects which we call ‘farmers’ friends’. They find refuge in the border habitats and provide ecological pest management, free from hazardous chemicals.”
Moving forward
Government extension services are adopting these approaches and other organisations are also interested in taking up some of the successfully proven methods. Women farmers are exploring options for village-level microenterprises to produce and sell ingredients for producing the ‘food spray’ and biopesticides, promoting further social and economic benefits for the community.
From 2018-2021 the project was funded by the JJ Charitable Trust, and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) under its Initiative for Sustainable Landscapes (ISLA). The work has continued since 2021 with kind support from Traid.
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