Recherche des points critiques de contamination des produits maraichers par les pesticides et suggestions d’amélioration au cameroun

Abstract

Agriculture, particularly vegetable farming, is crucial for the economy and food security of cameroon, where demographic pressure increases production needs. however, the excessive use of pesticides in vegetable production to combat diseases and pests poses major risks to health and the environment. this includes the presence of pesticide residues exceeding the authorized limits, exposing the population to health issues such as cancer and respiratory disorders. The present study aims to assess the contamination of 120 samples of market garden products (tomatoes, carrots, black nightshade, and peppers) collected from four regions of cameroon. The samples were treated using the quick easy cheap effective rugged and safe (quechers) method and analyzed by gas chromatography (gc). it identifie critical contamination points and proposes corrective measures to promote sustainable agricultural practices, including interviews with actors in the production chain. The analysis revealed the presence of four main pesticides in the crops, including chlorpyrifos (28.33%), which is banned by the eu and cameroon, methalaxyl-m (11.67%), imidacloprid (10%), and dimethomorph (8.33%). however, 41.67% of the products contained no pesticides. A small percentage of farmers (27%) and distributors (25%) have received training on pesticide use, highlighting a lack of knowledge. additionally, a strong reliance on informal pesticide supply (67% of farmers and 62% of distributors) and poor understanding of regulations increase the risks. tomatoes and black nightshades are particularly contaminated, with 100% of samples exceeding both codex alimentarius and eu standards for all detected pesticides. The survey shows that 80% of farmers and 75% of distributors favor chemical pesticides, increasing the risk of contamination of vegetable products, particularly due to excessive application and inadequate agricultural practices. The informal supply of unapproved pesticides, combined with ignorance of regulations and a lack of training, exacerbates the dangers to public health. The identification of critical points highlights excessive treatment practices, improper storage, and handling. proposed corrective measures include the use of bio-pesticides, adhering to dosage guidelines, crop rotation, and training producers on good agricultural practices to reduce contamination risks and ensure food safety.