HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS: PERCEPTION OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS ON PESTICIDE USE IN AGRICULTURE IN JAMMU DISTRICT
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Date
2017
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu
Abstract
There has been a substantial increase in the use of pesticides in terms of both volume and value in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) during the past two decades. The total use of pesticide in J& K is to the tune of 1711 tonnes (DPPQS, 2013) with an average of 2.410 kg per hectare (ha) (Peshin et.al. 2014). Pesticides consumption causes a serious environmental and public health problems. Due to the steep competition and large demand, many farmers are resorting to extensive and rather over use of pesticides to increase their agricultural yields (Mancini et.al. 2005).The farmers and applicators who are involved in the spraying activities of pesticides in fields get the direct exposure of pesticides due to unsafe and non-preventive work practices. They hardly use the safety masks, gloves and other protective measures during the spraying of pesticides which result into the access of pesticides in the blood stream through inhalation and dermal exposure which can adversely affect their eyes, skin and the respiratory system (Choudhary et.al. 2014). Keeping in view the health hazards of pesticide use, a study entitled “Human health hazards: perception of different stakeholders on pesticide use in agriculture in Jammu district” was conducted during the year 2015-16 to find out the knowledge of different stakeholders about pesticide use, personal protective equipments use and perception about health hazards. Three blocks having maximum area under vegetable crops namely R.S.Pura, Marh and Bishnah were selected purposively for the study. A list of vegetable growers was procured from the selected blocks and 40 vegetable growers from each block were selected randomly using random number generator, thereby making a total sample size of 120 respondents. Similarly from the selected villages where randomly selected respondents reside, pesticide retailer (n=30) operating in the villages were selected for study. Besides 33 professional pesticide applicators were also selected from the villages under the study.
Findings of the study revealed that pesticide use increased by 34% between 2005 & 2015. It was evident from the study that 77% of the farmers and 67% of applicators possessed medium level of knowledge about pesticides and their use. Linear regression model was applied to find out the effect of different independent variables on knowledge of the farmers and applicators; it was found that age was significantly affecting the knowledge of the farmers. In case of applicators, education and family size were affecting the knowledge of the applicators. In case of retailers, the significant correlation was found between occupation and knowledge about pesticides. Regarding the use of personal protective equipments (PPE) 47% of farmers and 52% of applicators use cloth for face protection. However, the use of other PPE as gloves, waterproof jackets and waterproof apron were negligible. Further analysis of the study revealed that knowledge of farmers was positively affecting the use of PPE in case of farmers whereas age was affecting the use of PPE in case of applicators. Regarding the perception of farmers about health hazards 66%, 63% and 60% farmers perceived the sign and symptoms like skin rashes, eye irritation and vomiting respectively. In case of applicators 60%, 58% and 54% perceived eye irritation, skin rashes and vomiting symptoms. The retailers under study perceived 97%, 93% and 90% vomiting, coughing and unconsciousness respectively. Regarding the difference in perception (about pesticide hazards) among farmers, applicators and retailers, the significant difference was found in case vomiting/ dehydration (p value=0.000), breathing problem (p value=0.00) and fever (p value = 0.000). On the basis of the study, it is suggested that appropriate awareness and training programmes should be organized on regular basis for farmers as well as applicators regarding rational use of pesticides, use of authenticate PPEs and proper handling of pesticides. The training programmes regarding proper handling of pesticides should be conducted for the pesticide retailers also because they serve as link in disseminating the pesticide related information to the farmers.
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