Instructor: Dr. George Kwadzo

Project: Agrochemical Applications

This project will examine various forms of agricultural management and chemical additives, such as pesticides, weedicides, herbicides, etc. Various methods have been adopted over centuries that force fruits and vegetables to ripen faster, thereby producing an abundance of negative externalities. Toxic residues lather the outside of our vegetables contributing to copious amounts of health risks. Of much concern are the environmental affects of agricultural chemical applications.

The student will spend time in the field, researching agricultural methods, problems, and potential solutions. Basing their studies on smaller farms in the vicinity of Accra, the student will explore the health implications of using chemicals for increasing agricultural output, the conditions which establish certain dependencies upon chemicals, and the attempts that are being imposed in attempt to minimize these problems. If the student shows interest, there may be a chance for him/her to work with a family on a farm, thereby experiencing the various conditions of agricultural life in Ghana. Also involved in research will be gender and social issues and their importance in agricultural development and output.

Among several other questions, the following will be explored:

• What methods are used to ensure high yields of crops?
• How are these methods learned?
• What is the family structure of agricultural workers? Does one member of the family work in the field more than another? Who receives the profits?
• How do farming techniques and yields differ between those that have enough money to buy fertilizer and those who do not?
• What health risks are produced by fertilizer applications? What precautions are taken given this problem?