ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF PESTICIDE USAGE IN COTTON – A STUDY IN DHARWAD DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA
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Date
2017
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Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Abstract
The pesticide that is heavily used in India is insecticide, whereas weedicides and
fungicides application is correspondingly less. Cotton accounts for the maximum share
of pesticide consumption followed by paddy and vegetables. Over the past decade, the
perplexities in pest management intensified with more and more insect species
developing resistance to insecticides. Cotton pest management was particularly affected
due to insecticide resistance, which was a consequence of excessive use of insecticides
on the crop. Insecticide resistance rendered insecticides ineffective, thus increasing the
need for repeated applications, wastage of resources and consequent environmental
pollution. Keeping this in view, the present study “Economic and environmental impact
assessment of pesticide usage in cotton – A study in Dharwad district of Karnataka” has
been taken up with the following objectives.
1. To estimate the cost and returns in cotton production with special reference to
pesticide usage.
2. To study the pesticide usage pattern and its impact on cotton productivity.
3. To assess the perception of sample farmers on the effects of pesticide use.
4. To assess the environmental impact of pesticide usage in cotton.
Multistage sampling procedure was adopted to select the respondents. Out of
five taluks of Dharwad district, three taluks viz., Navalgund, Hubli and Kundagol and
from each taluk, two villages which were having maximum cotton area and cotton
farmers were selected. A total of six villages viz., Annigeri, Morab, Shirguppi,
Ingalahalli, Kundagol and Shunsi were selected. Twenty cotton farmers from each
village were post stratified into small, medium and large farmers proportionately
making a total sample of 120. A structured and pre-tested schedule was used to collect
the data through survey method. The present study pertains to the agricultural year
2016-17.
Among the three different farm size groups, total costs as well as returns
incurred were highest for large farmers as compared to medium and small farmers, but
pesticides cost was more in case of small farmers followed by medium and large
farmers. Imidachloropid was the most preferred insecticide and Mancozeb and Paraquat
were preferred fungicide and weedicide respectively. Around 54 farmers (45%) spent
Rs. 4500 to Rs. 5500 per ha for pesticide application.
In the results of Cobb Douglas function, the factors that showed significance
were PPC (Plant Protection Chemicals) in kg, human labour cost, bullock labour cost
and age for small farmers. While in case of medium farmers, PPC in kg, fertilizer cost,
bullock labour cost, machine labour cost and area and for large farmers, PPC in kg,
bullock labour cost, machine labour cost and age were influencing cotton yield. The
optimum quantity of pesticide required for cotton for over all farmers was estimated to
be 0.57 a.i. kg/ha which was double the actual use, and 0.58, 0.70 and 0.80 a.i.kg/ha in
the case of small, medium and large farmers. The results of plant protection chemical
expenditure function showed that total agricultural income, number of pesticide
applications and human labour cost were significant factors for small, medium and large
farmers.
Most of the farmers didn’t know how to read literature on pesticide containers. It
was astonishing to notice that 73.33 per cent of the farmers were not using protective
masks/coverings during pesticide application and farmers were found careless in
handling pesticides. Farmers got the information about pesticides from pesticide dealers
and some from their own experience. Frequency of pesticide application by most of the
farmers ranged from 4 to 5 times in one crop season. Headache was the major problem
associated with exposure during pesticide application as reported by the sample farmers
(especially small farmers) followed by eye irritation.
Majority respondents (90.83 %) felt that the pesticide use affects human health.
About 45.83 per cent of respondents believed that pesticide usage increased levels of
crop yield. Most of the respondents (64.16 %) were unaware of the long term effects of
pesticide use, but most of them also disagreed to it and experienced short term illness
(62.50 %).The relationship between the levels of perception and independent variables
like age, income of farmer, type of farmer, education were found significant and
showed positive relationship.
The pesticide with highest Field Use Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ)
value used by sample farmers was Profenophos (75.19) and lowest was Acetamiprid
(0.19). Average Field Use EIQ was highest in case of small farmers (39.56) followed by
large farmers with 38.23. Comparatively less Field Use EIQ was with medium farmers
at 36.83. About 35.83 per cent of farmers were willing to pay 6 -10 per cent more price
than that of chemical pesticides for eco-friendly pesticides followed by 24.16 per cent
farmers who were ready to pay 1-5 per cent more price. Factors influencing Willingness
To Pay (WTP) were education, family type, perception, income, age and total health
effects.
Description
D5401
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