STATE OF PLAY IN THE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF PESTICIDES AND RISK OF CONTAMINATION OF FISH PONDS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AREAS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE: CASE OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF AGBOVILLE AND SOUBRÉ

A survey was carried out among 129 pesticide applicators of the departments of Agboville and Soubré, in order to identify the phytosanitary practices in field’s treatment adjacent to a fish farm. It turns out that pesticide application is a male task. Among these pesticide applicators, 59.7% of those from Soubré are illiterate as compared to 12% of those from Agboville. Most applicators in both localities (64% in Agboville and 95% in Soubré) have no qualifications. Only 1.5% of them are wearing appropriate protective equipment when spraying. 50.7% and 9.7% of applicators of Agboville and Soubré respectively are dressed in partial equipment. Poor practices in the dosing and preparation of porridges, as well as the management of empty packs could expose fish farms to pesticide residues contamination; fields being treated virtually every month in the year. Among the pesticides listed, insecticides accounted for 47% followed by 44% herbicides. Growth regulators and fungicides represent 5% and 4% respectively. At the end of this survey, it appears that pesticides with toxic effects on human health and environment have been listed. Thiamethoxam and glyphosate are respectively the predominant insecticide and herbicide contaminants.