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Farmers’ Use of Personal Protection Equipment in Jeshore and Rajshahi Districts of Bangladesh

Md. Safiul Islam Afrad*
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Aliyu Akilu Barau
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Md. Enamul Haque
Janata Bank, Janata Bhabon Corporate Branch, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mohammad Habibullah
Department of Agricultural Botany, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Personal protection equipment (PPE) is used by farmers when dealing with crop protection products. Owing to its relevance, this survey assessed the status of PPE use by the farmers. The survey focused on two districts (Jeshore and Rajshahi) of Bangladesh. Descriptive research design was used to achieve the survey objective including both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 39.5 years with an average annual income of BDT 194,540.0 (USD 2,434.8), having very poor training exposure, but expressed positive perception on PPE use. Upon exposure to any crop protection product, the farmers wash it off immediately, and mostly clean with soap and water within one hour of spray completion. Frequently experienced difficulty was skin burn, and whenever contamination or poisoning occurs local domestic first aid methods were adopted or contact was made to village quacks. Qualitative findings revealed similar information, however, in addition, farmers especially, youth were found to have adopted “traditional PPE,” which involves wearing of trousers, long sleeve shirts, polythene in place of hand gloves and cotton napkin to cover their faces. It was suggested that organized campaigns and effective information dissemination would encourage adequate and proper application of PPE. Use of PPE becomes inevitable for farmers’ safety with advancement in science and technology and its consequential effects. It is, therefore, obvious that the all stakeholders in agriculture and agri-allied industries take awareness creation and training on PPE use as part of their core agenda to avert hazard and ensure safety.

Keywords: Difficulties; Farmers; Use; Poisoning; PPE.

Location: Jeshore and Rajshahi Districts of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Farm machineries

Objectives:

However, given limited or no available empirical work on PPE use by farmers in Bangladesh, the present study was undertaken to establish the status of PPE use by farmers; their selected socioeconomic characteristics; and problems encountered while using PPE in two districts of Bangladesh, namely; Jeshore and Rajshahi.

Methodology:

Jessore is a district in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. It has a landmass of 2,606.98 square km with a population of 2,764,547 according to the 2011 Bangladesh Census. It is located on 23.17°N 89.20°E. Annual average temperature range from 9 to 41°C (48 to 106°F). The annual rainfall is 1,537 millimeters (60.5 inch). The main occupation of the inhabitants of the area is agriculture, as such they produce a number of crops year round. These include rice and varieties of vegetable. On the other hand, Rajshahi is a metropolitan city in Bangladesh and a major urban, commercial and educational centre of northern Bangladesh. It is geographically situated 23 m (75 ft.) above sea level and lies at 24°22′26″N 88°36′04″E. The maximum mean temperature is between 32 to 36°C (90 to 97 °F). The annual rainfall in Rajshahi is around 1,448 millimeters (57.0 in). The major occupation of the inhabitants is also agriculture. Apart from the usual agricultural products of Bangladesh, such as rice, wheat, potatoes and lentils, Rajshahi and its neighboring regions are specially known for various crops such as Mango, Litchi, Sugarcane, Potato, Tomato and Watermelon.

This study used descriptive research design to achieve its objective [8,9]. Four hundred (400) respondents including 200 farmers were selected using simple random sampling from both locations from the list provided by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh [8]. Four data enumerators were selected based on competence and experience in the field. The selected data enumerators were trained on procedure of data collection with respect to the intended survey. The trained enumerators collected quantitative data from the selected respondents by face-to-face interview using the designed interview schedule. Similarly, two focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted involving 15 farmers in each of the locations for generating qualitative information. Direct observations were also made regarding non-verbal expressions and the farmers’ surrounding environment as well. Generated data were coded (conversion to numerical values by assigning number for identification), complied and analyzed (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in accordance with the objectives of the study.

Source of Information: Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science; 33(3): 1-14, 2020; Article no.JESBS.55825 ISSN: 2456-981X

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.9734/JESBS/2020/v33i330204

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Majority of the farmers were 35.0 years or less with mean age around 39.5 years and mostly were literate. They are generally low income earners of averagely BDT 194,540.0 (USD 2431.8) per annum and lack training exposure on PPE use. They usually obtained all information from retailers and use “traditional PPE” (trousers, long sleeve shirts, polythene in place of hand gloves and napkin to cover their faces) mainly when applying pesticides. The farmers in Jeshore were found more advanced in using modern agricultural practices including PPE. Most of the farmers learnt how to use PPE through self-efforts and have positive perception about its use. Majority wash their PPE after every use, clean themselves with soap and water immediately after work, and when exposed to pesticide or any other crop protection product the usual practice was to stop working and wash. Emptied containers were abandoned in the field by majority of the farmers, but before being put to any form of use they are rinsed several times. Most experienced difficulty was skin burn, and in the event of contamination or poisoning locally domestic alternative methods were adopted or village quacks were consulted.

Promotion of PPE use may be operated through organized campaigns and other local means of information dissemination. PPE may be made readily available whenever needed and selling at an affordable price. Mass media may be employed for the creation of awareness in all locales of the farmers. In this connection, adequate circulation of posters may be suitable. Farmers may be trained for their capacity building. The government may undertake initiatives in line with the use of PPE including affordable pricing strategy and special offers.

Knowledge Management: Journal