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Farmer’s Perception and Safety Adopted During Pesticide Application in Vegetable Fields: a Case Study at Jessore District, Bangladesh

K. M. D. Hossain
Dept. of Environmental Science and Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore-7408, Bangladesh

B. Roy
Dept. of Environmental Science and Geography, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh.

K. L. A. Mim
Dept. of Environmental Science and Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore-7408, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

With the modernization of agriculture, the role of insecticides has become intensely important and the farmers are mainly exposed to the health risk due to lack of maintaining the proper safety procedure during the pesticide application. The study aims at investigating the present pesticide application practices, farmers’ knowledge and attitude toward pesticide application, identifying the problems regarding pesticide application and proposals for modification. To achieve these objectives a questionnaire survey was conducted in Abdulpur, Jessore and the data were analyzed in IBM SPSS (Statistical Package Software Spreadsheet). Pesticide use in the study area appears to be influenced by the local pesticide sellers and it is found that majority (96%) of the farmers are well aware of the harmful effect of pesticides but contrary to expectations, these do not significantly change their practices or attitude towards safe pesticide use. The survey also revealed that beneficial insects, birds and other animals may have been affected in the study area since the majority (74%) of the interviewees applied the pesticide at low pest densities. Farmers in this study generally demonstrated a poor knowledge of pesticide handling. An important finding of this study is that there are low levels of adoption of protective behaviors to reduce occupational exposure during pesticide application. To improve the situation comprehensive pesticide training program is needed and to reduce farmers’ heavy reliance on pesticides in pest control, IPM (Integrated pest management) strategies should be implemented.

Keywords: Pesticide application, Farmers’ Perception, Safety Procedure, Environmental Protection

Location: Abdulpur villages belongs to Jessore Sadar Upazila

Start Date: 00-02-2018

End Date: 00-04-2018

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Pesticide

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to identify farmers perception on pesticide application in vegetables fields at Abdulpur, Jessore as well as problems of pesticide application and proposal for modification.

Methodology:

Study Area The study was conducted Abdulpur villages belongs to Jessore Sadar Upazila. It has area of 435.41 sq km, located in between 23°04' and 23°20' north latitudes and in between 89°06' and 84°06' east longitudes. Main source of income is agriculture 35.09%, non-agricultural labourer 4.73%, industry 2.14%, commerce 21.17%, transport and communication 6.23%, service 17.31%, construction 2.57%, religious service 0.16%, rent and remittance 0.84% and others 9.76%. Landowner 49.68% and landless 50.32%, where agricultural landowner in urban 36.14% and in rural 55.91%. Main crops in this region are Paddy, potato, wheat, cotton, mustard, sugarcane, vegetables (Banglapedia, 2015). Sampling Procedure The farmers’ pesticide use profiles were specified in terms of what practices are enacted, how much pesticides are applied, how farmers select, store, mix and spray pesticides and how they dispose of empty containers. Subsequently, the farmers’ lifestyle which has an individual aspect because each person has not only his own unique ideas, beliefs, competences and identity, but also a collective aspect because social practices are always shared resulting in a common storyline. In order to generate sufficient information of the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding pesticide among farmers in Abdulpur, Jessore the technique of stratified random sampling was used to obtain cross-sectional data for this study. A questionnaire is prepared for the survey. The sample size of the survey was determined by using Solvin’s formula. The initial sample size is determined using formula. Collection of Primary Data Data collection was conducted during the period of February-April 2018. The study utilized primary data collected among smallholder farmers. Diagnostic surveys, formal interviews, and field observations were used to gather information on farmers’ knowledge of pesticides and safety practices. Questions were closed-ended questions in a single-choice or multiple-choice format and some questions demanded multiple answers. Collection of Secondary Data Secondary data were collected from different sources. The information on farmer, area and population were collected from the Jessore Statistical Department. Information on various pesticide uses by Abdulpur farmer and picture of pesticide container was collected from pesticide shop near Abdulpur bazar and Churamonkathi bazar. A large amount of published papers, journal and reports were reviewed to understand the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Jessore vegetable farmers in Abdulpur area regarding pesticide use. Farmers’ attitude regarding training on safe handling and practices of pesticide was collected from the department of agriculture Extension (DAE), Jessore. Analysis of the Data The questionnaire survey was reviewed after the interviews and the answers to each question were coded and entered in SPSS. SPSS is a software package used for logical batched and non-batched statistical analysis. The current versions (2015) are officially named IBM SPSS Statistics. SPSS is a widely used program for statistical analysis in social science.

Source of Information: J. Biosci. Agric. Res. 17(02):1448-1463

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.18801/jbar.170218.180

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Survey responses indicate the widespread improper use of pesticides including excessive application frequency, inappropriate pesticides mixtures, dangerous leftover pesticide disposal methods, and inadequate pre-harvest intervals that pose hazards to the human health and environment. Although farmers reported that they read pesticide labels, they also report frequently not following label instructions including applying pesticides with insufficient protective clothing and equipment. Many farmers reported receiving professional training about pesticide use but also reported not following instructions in day-to-day activities. The majority of farmers interviewed use pesticides according to their own opinions and experience and ignore potential threats to personal health and environmental contamination. Farmers appear to be unaware or uncaring about the extent of pesticide residue levels on local food products or long-term health effects of pesticide residues on consumers. To improve the situation comprehensive pesticide training program is needed involving close interaction among researchers, extension workers, agribusiness, and farmers to improve farmers’ knowledge of the appropriate use, storage, and disposal of agrochemicals and to reduce farmers’ heavy reliance on pesticides in pest control IPM strategies should be implemented.

Knowledge Management: Journal