Socio-economic, agronomic and environmental determinants of pesticide use in the konni irrigated area

Farmers in the Konni irrigated perimeter face challenges related to climate variability and increased crop pest attacks, leading to intensified pesticide use to enhance agricultural production. Environmental pollution associated with pesticide use remains a major public health and ecosystem sustainability concern. This study aimed to analyze the socio-economic, agronomic, and environmental determinants of pesticide use in the Konni irrigated perimeter. The study was conducted in selected sites within the irrigated perimeter located in several villages/neighborhoods of the urban municipality of Birni N’Konni. A total of 420 farmers were randomly selected. Data were collected through interviews and field observations. The majority of respondents were male (65%), with a sex ratio of 1.85. The mean age was 38 years (SD = 12), with the 25–45 age group representing 60% of the sample. More than half of the respondents (55%) had no formal education, and 71.4% had no access to agricultural credit. Only 25% had recently received agricultural or phytosanitary training. Access to agricultural information was mainly informal, particularly through peers and pesticide vendors. Market gardening was practiced by 86% of farmers. Overall, 57.1% of respondents reported using pesticides. Herbicides were the most commonly used (70%), followed by insecticides (65%). Regarding adaptation strategies, 50% reported increased pesticide use, 35% practiced crop diversification, and 45% changed their sowing dates. Multivariate analysis showed that phytosanitary training (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3–3.1; p = 0.002), market gardening (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5–3.6; p < 0.001), increased pest pressure (OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2–1.4; p = 0.002), and access to agricultural information (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.3; p = 0.04) were significantly associated with pesticide use. These findings indicate that phytosanitary training, crop type (market gardening), pest pressure, and access to information are key determinants of pesticide use in the Konni irrigated perimeter. Promoting integrated pest management, biopesticides, and strengthened agricultural extension services is essential for fostering sustainable adaptation strategies.