Evaluation of Farmers Knowledge about Proper use of Pesticides in Khartoum State, Sudan

The knowledge of eggplant farmers in Khartoum State was evaluated. Simple questionnaires were distributed to farmers in North Nile Farms (NN), East Nile Farms (ENF), and West Nile Farms (WNF) to test farmer knowledge about the safe use of pesticides. Interviews and questionnaires revealed that there is a limited level of awareness among farmers mostly noticeable in the ENF. Most farmers claimed to receive limited extension services. Most of them obtained pesticides from local markets. The result indicated that 44% of farmers had no idea about the economic threshold level of pests. The decision of spraying was mostly based on general observations and the farmers' experience. The majority (94%) of farmers don’t abide by recommended disposal procedures, they only damage and bury the containers inside the farms. The vast majority of farmers (66%) were not aware of the safety period for any given product. The excessive use of pesticides in vegetables and the reliance only on pesticides as a pest management strategy calls for the implementation of IPM programs integrating the use of environmentally soft chemicals with other non-chemical control methods to manage pests and diseases. Safety periods should be carefully watched to reduce the level of residues in fruits and vegetables below the tolerance level and to ensure sustainable and safe vegetable production.