Pesticide Without Poison: How Farmers Are Turning to Natural Solutions – Case Study of GetCare Foundation’s FAHAP Farmers
Across rural Ghana, smallholder farmers have long relied on synthetic pesticides and herbicides to protect their crops. While these inputs provide short-term relief from pests, global evidence increasingly shows that they can also degrade soils, contaminate water sources, and pose health risks when misused. According to the FAO, over 30% of pesticides used in low-income countries are estimated to be counterfeited or improperly labeled, heightening the risk of toxicity among farmers and consumers. At the same time, the World Bank reports that poor pesticide handling contributes to nearly 300,000 acute poisoning deaths annually, with smallholder farmers the most vulnerable. In response, GetCare Foundation—through the Farming Against Hunger and Poverty (FAHAP) Program—is championing a safer, more sustainable alternative: organic pest management.