Farmers’ perceptions of herbicide usage in forest landscape restoration programs in Ghana

Although herbicides have extensively been used in forest landscape restoration, its effects and opportunity costs have rarely been studied in Ghana. This study evaluated types of herbicides used, assessed the perceptions of the effects of herbicide usage among farmers enrolled in a taungya (i.e. farm forestry programs) in the dry semi-deciduous ecological zone of Ghana. The study also analyzed the challenges associated with the application of herbicides and determined the impact of socio-economic factors that influence farmers decision to use herbicides on farms. Data were collected from 300 taungya farmers and 20 herbicide traders in Offinso North, Offinso South, and Techiman South Municipal. Data collection was completed in December 2016. Data were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. Results indicate that 100% of farmers perceived herbicides as having deleterious effects on flora (seedlings, under-storey wild foods, medicines) and fauna (soil micro-organisms, fish in rivers) as well as water quality, soil structure and human health. Nevertheless, 93% of them use herbicides to reduce labour costs and to establish larger acreages. Based on their functional properties, 85% of herbicides traded are non-selective for bush clearing and 15% are selective for weeding. Farmers use them indiscriminately due to poor knowledge on recommended practices and intensity of invasiveness of weed species. Education, residential status and age of respondents significantly predicted usage. The study recommends a review of Ghana's pesticide deployment strategies and herbicides guide book for use in farm forestry. Capacity of frontline forestry professionals, traders and farmer-based organizations must be enhanced to effectively advice and monitor safe application. Plant based herbicides must be promoted for safety and enhancement of biodiversity.