Exploring the drivers of herbicide use and risk perception among smallholder farmers in Ghana

Although herbicide adoption is gaining popularity among farmers in the Global South, the reasons for their adoption and perceptions of the impacts of their use may vary. Drawing theoretical insights from political ecology and using photovoice and interviews with (N=48) backyard farmers in the semi-arid savannah region of Ghana, this article explored the underlying factors shaping herbicide adoption and the perceived health and environmental impacts. The findings reveal a set of complex intersecting drivers of herbicide adoption, including climate variability, labor supply constraints, and high costs of alternative technologies. Important adverse impacts of herbicide use include human health complications, suppressed seed germination, water pollution, and disruption of ecosystem processes. Notably, there were marked gender and locational variations in farmer perceptions which reflect the intersecting political, socio-economic and cultural factors that shape human-environment interaction, including agricultural production decisions. Given the growing need to make smallholder agriculture more sustainable, we recommend a community-based approach that engages government agencies, herbicide retailers and farmers to regulate herbicide use to minimize adverse impacts.

Automated summary

This article examines the factors influencing herbicide adoption and its perceived impacts, using theoretical insights from political ecology and data from interviews with backyard farmers in Ghana. The findings highlight the complex drivers of herbicide adoption, including climate variability and labor constraints, as well as the adverse impacts on human health, seed germination, water pollution, and ecosystems. Gender and locational variations in farmer perceptions indicate the importance of considering socio-economic and cultural factors in agricultural production decisions. The study recommends a community-based approach involving multiple stakeholders to regulate herbicide use and minimize adverse impacts.