scholarly journals Farmer knowledge and perceptions of agrochemicals use on honeybee community and honey production in Benin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anicet Gbèblonoudo Dassou ◽  
Corinne Anagonou ◽  
Senan Vohouhe ◽  
Aristide Adjai Edikou ◽  
Silvère Tovignan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Apiculture faces many constraints including the use of agrochemicals. Chronic exposure to chemical pesticide use results in the loss of honeybee colonies and alters detoxification mechanisms and immune responses, driving them more susceptible to parasites. This study aims at investigating the impact of agrochemical use on honeybee community and honey production in northern Benin. Methods For this purpose, 100 beekeepers were surveyed using a survey questionnaire. Information on treated crops, the distance of beehives from these crops, the effect of insecticides and herbicides, adaptation patterns and honey production were collected through individual interviews. Socio-demographic data and farmer’s knowledge on agrochemical uses and their impacts on honeybee communities were determined. Information were also collected on alternative methods to agrochemicals, beehive types and honey taste. Results Apicultural investigations have shown that chemical pesticides were applied in fields of crops and that beehives were mostly located near treated fields. The most used chemical pesticides were Kalach (glyphosate), Callifor G (glyphosate, fluometuron, prometyn), Atrazila 80 wp (atrazin), Herbextra (glyphosate) and Cotonix (deltamethrin and chlorpyriphos). The majority of beekeepers (79%) recognize the effect of pesticides and use alternatives to pesticides to reduce the risk. In general, 49% of beekeepers found the decrease in the big breed of bees and 40% that of the small breed. The honey production was higher when the beehives were installed far from the treated fields. Conclusion and implications: This study allowed to knowing the direct and indirect effects of the agrochemical use on beekeeping. Alternative pest management methods to the pesticide use practiced by farmers would lead to sustainable improvements of honey production in Benin.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Guo ◽  
Andi Cao ◽  
Minjun Huang ◽  
Houjian Li

Abstract Recently, serious haze pollution has not only threatened the human health and food security, but also seems to have aggravated the unscientific use of pesticides by rice farmers in rural area of China. Using original data on haze pollution across China, combined with rural household survey data collected from 2014 to 2018, we conducted a detailed empirical study on the effects of haze pollution on pesticide use by rice farmers based on the theory of risk aversion. The empirical results revealed that haze pollution with higher levels of PM2.5 positively impacted the use of chemical pesticides in the rice cultivation. More precisely, with 1% increases in PM2.5 concentration, the amount of pesticide application per mu increased by 7.9%, and the average pesticide fee per mu increased by 2.3%, respectively. The results were robust to a series of tests that addressed potential endogeneity concerns, including omitted variable bias, measurement error and reverse causality. We then examined the heterogeneous effects of haze pollution increase on the use of chemical pesticides and found that the effects of haze pollution on the use of chemical pesticides to be weaker for rice farmer with more rice-planting experience, those with smaller cultivated area of rice, however, the effects on the amount of chemical pesticide application per mu to be weaker for those with rice insurance, but the effects on the average chemical pesticide fee per mu to be stronger for those with rice insurance. Our findings provide important policy implications for pesticide risk management in rural areas of developing countries.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Dias Prihatmoko ◽  
Khotibul Umam

ABSTRAK   Kelompok tani Agung Rejeki dan kelompok tani Sumber Rejeki adalah dua diantara beberapa kelompok tani yang ada di Desa Mlaten Kecamatan Mijen Kabupaten Demak. Selama ini upaya Kelompok Tani Agung Rejeki dan Sumber Rejeki dalam pemberantasan hama dilakukan dengan menggunakan pestisida kimiawi yang mengakibatkan banyak kerugian. Oleh karena itu perlu adanya solusi untuk mengurangi penggunaan pestisida kimiawi yaitu dengan membuat pestisida organik dan ramah lingkungan. Pada kegiatan pengabdian Iptek bagi Masyarakat ini dilakukan kegiatan utama, yaitu Program pelatihan dan keterampilan penggunaan pestisida organik, metode yang dilakukan yaitu dengan pelatihan tatap muka berupa teori dan praktek pembuatan pestisida organik. Beberapa kegiatan tersebut dimaksudkan untuk memberikan pemahaman dan keterampilan yang memadai kepada petani tentang cara penggunaan pestisida yang efektif, efisien dan memperhatikan aspek keberlangsungan ekologi, serta petani dapat membuat dan menerapkan pestisida organik yang efektif dan ramah lingkungan. Hasil dari kegiatan ini berupa pestisida yang terbuat dari bahan-bahan organik. Kata Kunci : Pestisida Organik, Kelompok Tani, IPTEK Pestisida Organik  ABSTRACT                Farmer Group Agung Rejeki and Sumber Rejeki are two of several farmer groups in Desa Mlaten, Kecamatan Mijen, Kabupaten Demak. They are using chemical pesticide for kill the pest which resulted in many losses. A solution to reduce the use of chemical pesticides that is by making organic pesticides and environmentally friendly. In this activity are training program and skills of organic pesticide use, the method used is the theoretical training and practice of making organic pesticides. These activities are aim intended to provide farmers with sufficient understanding and skill on how to use pesticides effectively, efficiently and to pay attention to aspects of ecological sustainability, and farmers can create and apply organic pesticides that are effective and environmentally friendly. The results of this activity are pesticides made from organic materials. Keyword : Organic Pesticide, Farmer Group, IPTEK


Author(s):  
Simrin Kafle ◽  
Abhinav Vaidya ◽  
Bandana Pradhan ◽  
Erik Jørs ◽  
Sharad Onta

In view of increasing irrational use and unsafe handling of pesticides in agriculture in Nepal, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the practice of chemical pesticide use and acute health symptoms experienced by farmers. A total of 790 farmers from the Chitwan district were randomly selected for the study. X2 test, T-test, and Multiple Logistic Regression were used for analysis. Among the farmers, 84% used exclusively chemical pesticide. Farmers with better knowledge on pesticide handling were 8.3 times more likely to practice safe purchasing, four times more likely to practice safe mixing and spraying, and two times more likely to practice safe storage and disposal. Similarly, perception/attitude of farmers about chemical pesticide policy and market management was significantly associated with the practice of farmers during purchasing, mixing and spraying, and storage and disposal. Among the users of chemical pesticides, 18.7% farmers experienced one or more pesticide related acute symptoms of health problems during the previous 12 months. Farmers with unsafe practices of pesticide handling were two times more likely to suffer from acute poisoning. It is concluded that knowledge about pesticide handling and favorable perception/attitude on pesticide policy and market management are the predictors of safe use of pesticide.


Author(s):  
Ajeng Embri Legawati ◽  
Nur Azizah ◽  
Achmad Ramadhan

Green beans cultivation technology using mice pets control has been implemented in the Gluranploso village, Benjeng Gresik. The implementation of the technology performed for 2.5 months from August to October 2017. The purpose of the implementation is aimed to reduce the dependence of farmers on the use of chemical pesticides so that the farmers are aware of the negative impact of chemical pesticides. Assessing the impact of the utilization of Bintaro fruit and fruit extracts to explore ways of making Bintaro as a natural biopesticide to overcome rat attack on green bean plants in the Gluranploso village. Pest control mice can reduce the rate of loss of the crops more effectively and efficiently. Finally, with the use of those natural resources as a biopesticide material can also maintain the environmental balance


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadya El Rayess ◽  
Roberta Goldman ◽  
Christopher Furey ◽  
Rabin Chandran ◽  
Arnold R. Goldberg ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is an accepted framework for delivering high-quality primary care, prompting many residencies to transform their practices into PCMHs. Few studies have assessed the impact of these changes on residents' and faculty members' PCMH attitudes, knowledge, and skills. The family medicine program at Brown University achieved Level 3 PCMH accreditation in 2010, with training relying primarily on situated learning through immersion in PCMH practice, supplemented by didactics and a few focused clinical activities. Objective To assess PCMH knowledge and attitudes after Level 3 PCMH accreditation and to identify additional educational needs. Methods We used a qualitative approach, with semistructured, individual interviews with 12 of the program's 13 postgraduate year 3 residents and 17 of 19 core faculty. Questions assessed PCMH knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness for practicing, teaching, and leading within a PCMH. Interviews were analyzed using the immersion/crystallization method. Results Residents and faculty generally had positive attitudes toward PCMH. However, many expressed concerns that they lacked specific PCMH knowledge, and felt inadequately prepared to implement PCMH principles into their future practice or teaching. Some exceptions were faculty and resident leaders who were actively involved in the PCMH transformation. Barriers included lack of time and central roles in PCMH activities. Conclusions Practicing in a certified PCMH training program, with passive PCMH roles and supplemental didactics, appears inadequate in preparing residents and faculty for practice or teaching in a PCMH. Purposeful curricular design and evaluation, with faculty development, may be needed to prepare the future leaders of primary care.


Author(s):  
Saeed Delara ◽  
Kendra MacKay

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) has become the preferred method for trenchless pipeline installations. Drilling pressures must be limited and a “no-drill zone” determined to avoid exceeding the strength of surrounding soil and rock. The currently accepted industry method of calculating hydraulic fracturing limiting pressure with application of an arbitrary safety factor contains several assumptions that are often not applicable to specific ground conditions. There is also no standard procedure for safety factor determination, resulting in detrimental impacts on drilling operations. This paper provides an analysis of the standard methods and proposes two alternative analytical models to more accurately determine the hydraulic fracture point and acceptable drilling pressure. These alternative methods provide greater understanding of the interaction between the drilling pressures and the surrounding ground strength properties. This allows for more accurate determination of horizontal directional drilling limitations. A comparison is presented to determine the differences in characteristics and assumptions for each model. The impact of specific soil properties and factors is investigated by means of a sensitivity analysis to determine the most critical soil information for each model.


Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
Valery Astapenko ◽  
Andrei Letunov ◽  
Valery Lisitsa

The effect of plasma Coulomb microfied dynamics on spectral line shapes is under consideration. The analytical solution of the problem is unachievable with famous Chandrasekhar–Von-Neumann results up to the present time. The alternative methods are connected with modeling of a real ion Coulomb field dynamics by approximate models. One of the most accurate theories of ions dynamics effect on line shapes in plasmas is the Frequency Fluctuation Model (FFM) tested by the comparison with plasma microfield numerical simulations. The goal of the present paper is to make a detailed comparison of the FFM results with analytical ones for the linear and quadratic Stark effects in different limiting cases. The main problem is connected with perturbation additions laws known to be vector for small particle velocities (static line shapes) and scalar for large velocities (the impact limit). The general solutions for line shapes known in the frame of scalar perturbation additions are used to test the FFM procedure. The difference between “scalar” and “vector” models is demonstrated both for linear and quadratic Stark effects. It is shown that correct transition from static to impact limits for linear Stark-effect needs in account of the dependence of electric field jumping frequency in FFM on the field strengths. However, the constant jumping frequency is quite satisfactory for description of the quadratic Stark-effect. The detailed numerical comparison for spectral line shapes in the frame of both scalar and vector perturbation additions with and without jumping frequency field dependence for the linear and quadratic Stark effects is presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahinatou N. Ghapoutsa ◽  
Maurice Boda ◽  
Rashi Gautam ◽  
Valantine Ngum Ndze ◽  
Akongnwi E. Mugyia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the global roll-out of rotavirus vaccines (RotaTeq/Rotarix / ROTAVAC/Rotasiil), mortality and morbidity due to group A rotavirus (RVA) remains high in sub-Saharan Africa, causing 104,000 deaths and 600,000 hospitalizations yearly. In Cameroon, Rotarix™ was introduced in March 2014, but, routine laboratory diagnosis of rotavirus infection is not yet a common practice, and vaccine effectiveness studies to determine the impact of vaccine introduction have not been done. Thus, studies examining RVA prevalence post vaccine introduction are needed. The study aim was to determine RVA prevalence in severe diarrhoea cases in Littoral region, Cameroon and investigate the role of other diarrheagenic pathogens in RVA-positive cases. Methods We carried out a study among hospitalized children < 5 years of age, presenting with acute gastroenteritis in selected hospitals of the Littoral region of Cameroon, from May 2015 to April 2016. Diarrheic stool samples and socio-demographic data including immunization and breastfeeding status were collected from these participating children. Samples were screened by ELISA (ProSpecT™ Rotavirus) for detection of RVA antigen and by gel-based RT-PCR for detection of the VP6 gene. Co-infection was assessed by multiplexed molecular detection of diarrheal pathogens using the Luminex xTAG GPP assay. Results The ELISA assay detected RVA antigen in 54.6% (71/130) of specimens, with 45, positive by VP6 RT-PCR and 54, positive using Luminex xTAG GPP. Luminex GPP was able to detect all 45 VP6 RT-PCR positive samples. Co-infections were found in 63.0% (34/54) of Luminex positive RVA infections, with Shigella (35.3%; 12/34) and ETEC (29.4%; 10/34) detected frequently. Of the 71 ELISA positive RVA cases, 57.8% (41/71) were fully vaccinated, receiving two doses of Rotarix. Conclusion This study provides insight on RVA prevalence in Cameroon, which could be useful for post-vaccine epidemiological studies, highlights higher than expected RVA prevalence in vaccinated children hospitalized for diarrhoea and provides the trend of RVA co-infection with other enteric pathogens. RVA genotyping is needed to determine circulating rotavirus genotypes in Cameroon, including those causing disease in vaccinated children.


1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 679-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horst Spielmann ◽  
Michael Balls ◽  
Jack Dupuis ◽  
Wolfgang J. W. Pape ◽  
Odile de Silva ◽  
...  

In 1996, the Scientific Committee on Cosmetology of DGXXIV of the European Commission asked the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods to test eight UV filter chemicals from the 1995 edition of Annex VII of Directive 76/768/EEC in a blind trial in the in vitro 3T3 cell neutral red uptake phototoxicity (3T3 NRU PT) test, which had been scientifically validated between 1992 and 1996. Since all the UV filter chemicals on the positive list of EU Directive 76/768/EEC have been shown not to be phototoxic in vivo in humans under use conditions, only negative effects would be expected in the 3T3 NRU PT test. To balance the number of positive and negative chemicals, ten phototoxic and ten non-phototoxic chemicals were tested under blind conditions in four laboratories. Moreover, to assess the optimum concentration range for testing, information was provided on appropriate solvents and on the solubility of the coded chemicals. In this study, the phototoxic potential of test chemicals was evaluated in a prediction model in which either the Photoirritation Factor (PIF) or the Mean Photo Effect (MPE) were determined. The results obtained with both PIF and MPE were highly reproducible in the four laboratories, and the correlation between in vitro and in vivo data was almost perfect. All the phototoxic test chemicals provided a positive result at concentrations of 1μg/ml, while nine of the ten non-phototoxic chemicals gave clear negative results, even at the highest test concentrations. One of the UV filter chemicals gave positive results in three of the four laboratories only at concentrations greater than 100μg/ml; the other laboratory correctly identified all 20 of the test chemicals. An analysis of the impact that exposure concentrations had on the performance of the test revealed that the optimum concentration range in the 3T3 NRU PT test for determining the phototoxic potential of chemicals is between 0.1μg/ml and 10μg/ml, and that false positive results can be obtained at concentrations greater than 100μg/ml. Therefore, the positive results obtained with some of the UV filter chemicals only at concentrations greater than 100μg/ml do not indicate a phototoxic potential in vivo. When this information was taken into account during calculation of the overall predictivity of the 3T3 NRU PT test in the present study, an almost perfect correlation of in vitro versus in vivo results was obtained (between 95% and 100%), when either PIF or MPE were used to predict the phototoxic potential. The management team and participants therefore conclude that the 3T3 NRU PT test is a valid test for correctly assessing the phototoxic potential of UV filter chemicals, if the defined concentration limits are taken into account.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s302-s302
Author(s):  
Amanda Barner ◽  
Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha

Background: The Infectious Diseases Society of America released updated community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) guidelines in October 2019. One of the recommendations, with a low quality of supporting evidence, is the standard administration of antibiotics in adult patients with influenza and radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Procalcitonin (PCT) is not endorsed as a strategy to withhold antibiotic therapy, but it could be used to de-escalate appropriate patients after 48–72 hours. Radiographic findings are not indicative of the etiology of pneumonia. Prescribing antibiotics for all influenza-positive patients with an infiltrate has significant implications for stewardship. Therefore, we reviewed hospitalized, influenza-positive patients at our institution during the 2018–2019 season, and we sought to assess the impact of an abnormal chest x-ray (CXR) and PCT on antibiotic prescribing and outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all influenza-positive admissions at 2 urban, community-based, teaching hospitals. Demographic data, vaccination status, PCT levels, CXR findings, and treatment regimens were reviewed. The primary outcome was the difference in receipt of antibiotics between patients with a negative (<0.25 ng/mL) and positive PCT. Secondary outcomes included the impact of CXR result on antibiotic prescribing, duration, 30-day readmission, and 90-day mortality. Results: We reviewed the medical records of 117 patients; 43 (36.7%) received antibiotics. The vaccination rate was 36.7%. Also, 11% of patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 84% received antibiotics. Moreover, 109 patients had a CXR: 61 (55.9%) were negative, 29 (26.6%) indeterminate, and 19 (17.4%) positive per radiologist interpretation. Patients with a positive PCT (OR, 12.7; 95% CI, 3.43–60.98; P < .0007) and an abnormal CXR (OR, 7.4; 95% CI, 2.9–20.1; P = .000003) were more likely to receive antibiotics. There was no significant difference in 30-day readmission (11.6% vs 13.5%; OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.21–3.08; P = 1) and 90-day mortality (11.6% vs 5.4%; OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 0.48–12.75; P = .28) between those that received antibiotics and those that did not, respectively. Furthermore, 30 patients (62.5%) with an abnormal CXR received antibiotics and 21 (43.7%) had negative PCT. There was no difference in 30-day readmission or 90-day mortality between those that did and did not receive antibiotics. Conclusions: Utilization of PCT allowed selective prescribing of antibiotics without impacting readmission or mortality. Antibiotics should be initiated for critically ill patients and based on clinical judgement, rather than for all influenza-positive patients with CXR abnormalities.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document