Farmers’ Perceptions about Effects of Pesticides Use in Vegetables in Taluka Usta Muhammad of Jaffarabaddistrict, Balochistan

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the vegetable growers of Taluka Usta Muhammad District of Jaffarabad, Balochistan for their awareness about the effects of pesticides use in vegetables and their opinion in relation to situation improvement and major problems they face. The study covered the 80 vegetable growers. Apart from the demographic information of the respondents, the farmers were also asked to perceive on their knowledge about pesticide application, impact of pesticides on vegetables, human health and environment and some other related aspects. The study revealed that majority of growers were 31-40 years of age (32%); educated upto primary (31%);>40 acre landholding (31%);tenant (46%);mostly having 5-10 years farming experience (39%); cultivate vegetables on 11-20 acres (38%) growers, respectively. The likert type scale results on different assumptions for majority growers show: ‘not satisfied’ (81%) about the usefulness extension services regarding proper use of pesticides; ‘satisfied to some extent’ (68%) on their awareness regarding techniques of pesticide application; (56%) on awareness regarding unsafe pesticide application as a health risk; ‘satisfied to some extent’ (62%) following label instructions; ‘satisfied to some extent’ (45%)  on awareness of safe use of pesticides; ‘satisfied to some extent’ (55%) knowledge regarding precautions for pesticide application; ‘satisfied to some extent’ (63%) on their awareness on unsafe pesticide application is a health risk;  ‘satisfied to some extent’ (49%) for awareness on adverse pesticide effects on animals and other ecosystem; ‘not satisfied’ (45%) with the traditional methods. Majority growers ‘strongly agreed’ (82%) that use of pesticide increases the yield of vegetables; (72%) disagreed the pesticides as cause of unground water contamination; (44%) strongly agreed that use of pesticides is harmful for biological life; (51%) strongly agreed that abundant use of pesticides pollutes the atmosphere; (46%) strongly agreed on changed natural taste of food due to pesticidal sprays;(40%) strongly agreed that birds are affected by the indiscriminate use of pesticides; (71%) strongly agreed that due to residual effects of pesticides in vegetable produce human health is at high risk. Majority of growers suggested training programs on proper pesticide application on vegetables, motivation campaigns, effective extension services, effective role of mass media, demonstration plots, role of EPA, training of residual effects and human health. Neighboring farmer was rank-1 source of information while ‘financial constraints’ was rank-1 problem faced by the growers.

Keywords: Vegetables, Pesticides, Awareness, Ecosystem, Knowledge, Farmer and Growers