Knowledge and Awareness on the Risks of Pesticide Use Among Farmers at Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Abstract

Obtaining information about the knowledge and awareness of the risk of pesticide use among farmers is essential to reduce the risk to the environment and health. This study aims to measure the level of knowledge of the risk of pesticide use to the environment and health, the level of awareness of pesticide use and to evaluate the relationship between both sociodemographic and knowledge factors toward awareness of pesticide use. The study was conducted among 360 farmers from Pulau Pinang. The results showed that the farmers’ level of awareness on pesticide use was moderate, although their level of knowledge on the risks of pesticide use to the environment and health was high. Farmers higher awareness of the prohibition of using harmful pesticides but the awareness level on how to dispose of used pesticide containers was low. This is driven by the factor of moderate knowledge of the existence of pesticide residue. There is a strong relationship of awareness with the educational factor, a moderate relationship for the area of paddy field factor, and also for the experience factor. There is also significant moderate relationship for knowledge on the risks of pesticide use to the environment and health with awareness. The government should emphasize furthering the educational program, the management and safe operating procedures for pesticides, and giving incentives to farmers who lack knowledge and experience, especially to younger farmers, as well as reducing environmental taxes and giving an incentive to farmers who cultivate paddy fields on a large scale.