Patterns of Pesticides Usage in Agriculture in Rural Tanzania Call for Integrating Agricultural and Public Health Practices in Managing Insecticide-resistance in Malaria Vectors

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Abstract Background: Unrestricted use of pesticides inagricultureis likely toincreaseinsecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes. Unfortunately, strategies for managing insecticide resistance in agriculture and public health sectors lack integration. This study explored types of agricultural pesticides, the usage, awareness and management practicesamong retailers and farmers in Ulanga and Kilombero districts in south-eastern Tanzania, where malaria mosquitoes are resistant to pyrethroids.Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach was used. First, a survey to characterise pesticide stockswas conducted in agricultural and veterinary (agrovet) retail stores. Interviews to assess general knowledge and practices regarding agricultural pesticideswere done with 17 retailers and 30 farmers followed by an in-depth survey involving 427 farmers.Concurrently, field observations were done to validate the results.Results: Lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and neonicotinoid imidacloprids were the most common agricultural insecticides sold to farmers. The herbicide glyphosate (amino-phosphonates)(59%) and the fungicides dithiocarbamate and acylalanine (54.5%) and organochlorine (27.3%) were also readily available in the agrovet shops and widely used by farmers. Although both retailers and farmers had at least primary-level education and recognized pesticides by their trade names,they lacked knowledge on pest control orproper usage of these pesticides. Mostof the farmers (n=316, 54.4%) relied on instructions from pesticides dealers. Overall, 93.7% (n = 400)farmers practiced pesticides mixing in their farms, often nearby water sources. One-third of the farmers disposedof their pesticide leftovers (n=128, 30.0%), and most of them discarded empty pesticide containers into rivers or nearby bushes (n = 238, 55.7%).Conclusion: Similarities of active ingredients used in agriculture and malaria vector control, poor pesticides management practices and low-levels of awareness among farmers and pesticides retailers might enhance the selection of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. This study emphasises the need forimproving awareness among retailers and farmers on usage and management of pesticides, and highlights the needfor an integrated approach in the management of insecticide resistance inagricultural and public health sectors.

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