Factors that affect the behavior of shallot farmers in the use of pesticides in Brebes Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The using of pesticides in shallot cultivation in the Brebes Regency is very intensive. It can have an impact on health and the environment. Several factors influence the behavior of shallots farmers in the use of pesticides. The purpose of this research was to identify the dominant factors that influence the behavior of shallots farmers in the use of pesticides. Interviews were conducted on 228 shallots farmers in Brebes, Central Java, Indonesia. Information collected includes the behavior of farmers in the use of pesticides, the characteristics of farmers, agricultural facilities, and farmers’ knowledge of pesticides. Data analysis used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques. Based on the results of the analysis, that the behavior of farmers in the use of pesticides was influenced by the characteristic factors of 8%, agricultural facilities 26% and knowledge by 36%. The variables that have the most influence on the characteristic factors were the length of farming, the factor of the facility was the supply of seeds, and the factor of knowledge was information between groups. The dominant factor that most influences the behavior of farmers in the use of pesticides was the knowledge factor with the most dominant variable was the information between groups. Based on our study, it was revealed that effective counseling about the wise use of pesticides could be done through empowering farmer groups.