FARMERS’ ATTITUDES TO CHEMICAL PESTICIDE USE IN NORTHWEST REGION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Although it is obvious that chemical pesticides may have adverse effects on health and the environment, farmers in our nation frequently use chemical pesticides in crop fields to manage pests. This research work focuses on analyzing farmers’ attitudes towards chemical pesticide application. Using a prepared questionnaire, the study was carried out in several Chapainawabganj sites, and information was gathered from 50 randomly chosen farmers. Appropriate scales were developed to measure the variables. Descriptive statistics, such as mean, standard deviation, range, and percentage, were used to characterize the variables. According to the findings, the bulk of the respondents in the research area was old aged 46%. The findings also reveal that 54% of the respondents do not have a primary school education, 62% of the respondents have a medium-sized farm, 52% of the respondents have high annual income, 90% of the respondents do not have organizational training and 84% of the total respondents have high farming experience of crop cultivation. The study indicates that 76% of respondents had medium knowledge of pesticide application and the use of pesticides was viewed with a moderate attitude by 76% of the respondents. In this study, we find a positive significant relationship between farmers’ knowledge about chemical pesticides and the use of pesticides. Besides, there is also another positive significant relationship between extension media contact and the use of pesticides. Farmers in the research region were found to be more likely to use chemical pesticides to increase productivity by controlling pest attacks. Therefore, the current study could subsidize improving better guidelines aim at applying fewer pesticides in the crop field and improving farmers’ knowledge of the balanced use of pesticides. The extension service providers might educate farmers on the responsible use of chemical pesticides, raise their level of knowledge on the control of insects, and provide alternative ways for insect pest management in the research area.