Abstract
Similar to many developing countries, pesticide related issues in Sri Lanka have become a major concern in the recent past. Many researches were conducted to evolve technical alternatives for eco-friendly agriculture, but very less emphasis was given to the knowledge and behaviour of the farmers. Having recognized the need, present study was conducted to assess the farmers' knowledge level on pest management practices and socio-economic factors influencing the existing pest management practices. Ordered Probit model was used to analyze the data from 50 vegetable farmers who were randomly selected from Pampaimadu, Agricultural Instructor range in the Vavuniya district. Nearly 60% of the farmers had medium level of knowledge of plant protection practices. Only 6% of the farmers had good level of knowledge towards the recommended plant protection measures. Almost all the farmers depended on chemical pesticides for the management of pest and diseases but at 35% higher concentration than recommended level. Farming experience and social participation were positive and significantly contributed to farmers' knowledge on safe pesticide use. Education, income, age and family size of farmers had showed no relationship with the knowledge level of pest management. Increased social participation and, effective extension programmes are important to improve farmers' knowledge on proper use of pesticides and its effect on their health and environment. Key Words: Farmers Pest Management Knowledge; Ordered Probit Model DOI: 10.4038/suslj.v8i1.1852 Sabaramuwa University Journal Vol. 8(1); December 2008, pp 79-89
Highlights
Pesticides use is a double-edged sword in the battle against pests as it affects human health and contaminates the environment
Some farmers have a genuine problem of insufficient knowledge and information on the and spraying pesticides on their farms are exposed to pesticides and suffer from numerous morbidity effects ranging from headaches, nausea to cramps
Hospital statistics in Sri Lanka show that on average 14,500 individuals were admitted to government hospitals and around 1500 individuals a year died from pesticide poisoning during the period 1986-1996 (National Poison Information Centre, 1997)
Summary
Pesticides use is a double-edged sword in the battle against pests as it affects human health and contaminates the environment. Wilson and Tiddsell (2001) have estimated the private cost of farmers’ exposure to pesticides in Sri Lanka They found that a farmer on average incurs a cost of around Rs 5465 a year (equal to about a month income) due to exposure to pesticides. The suicide rate in Sri Lanka is about 160 per 100,000 Apart from these hospital data, various field studies carried out have confirmed high levels of morbidity from direct exposure to pesticides ranging from faintish feelings, headaches, nausea, diarrheoa, muscle twitching, rashes and cramps (Sivayoganathan et al, 1995). Pesticide use continued to remain the most popular method of pest control by farmers even though pesticide showed harmful effects on human health, environment and crop ecosystem (Administrative Report , 2005). With the background discussed above, present study was conducted to assess the farmers’ knowledge level on pest management practices and socioeconomic factors influencing the existing pest management practices and farmers’ awareness about the ill-effects of pesticides use on the farmers’ health and the environment
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