Prevalence and predisposing factors of crop pesticide use for tick control on selected cattle farms in Bukakata Sub-County, Masaka District

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence and predisposing factors of crop pesticide use for tick control in cattle farms within Bukakata sub-county, Masaka District. Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose significant challenges to cattle farming in Uganda, leading to substantial economic losses. The study identifies the types and frequency of crop pesticides being repurposed for tick control, explores the motivations behind this practice, and assesses its implications for animal health and farmer safety. A cross-sectional study design was used and data was collected through interviews with questionnaires, and field observations involving cattle farmers in Bukakata sub-county. The data collected included mainly demographics and how acaricides or crop pesticides are used. Purposive sampling and snowballing techniques were used to get 82 respondents. The filled questionnaires were double checked for accuracy and analyzed using Microsoft excel and (SPSS) version 20. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between various factors and crop pesticide use. Of the 82 respondents, 45 reported to have used pesticides giving a prevalence of 55%. Out of the 45 respondents, 40 (88.9%) sprayed weekly while 5 (11.1%) sprayed monthly. Abamectin and acetamiprid containing compounds (Dudu-acelamectin® and Ocelamectin®) were the ones mainly used. Dudu-acelamectin® was the most used 28(61%) followed by Ocelamectin® 17(39%). Forty-three (43) (95.56%) of the 45 respondents gave acaricide failure as a major reason for the use of these crop pesticides in tick control. Results indicated a high prevalence of crop pesticide use due to acaricide failure, crop pesticides being cheap and more accessible compared to veterinary-approved acaricides. Based on the study findings, it recommends; routine training and sensitization programs for farmers on the dangers of crop pesticide misuse and adoption of Rapid Tick Exposure Test (RaTexT® ) used to determine the acaricides to which the tick species on a farm , are resistant. It also suggests stricter enforcement of regulations by MAAIF in collaboration with local authorities to curb this practice.