Knowledge of Vegetable Growers on the Effects of Agricultural Chemicals

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Kolar district of Karnataka state during 2018-19 to understand the knowledge level of vegetable growers on the effects of agricultural chemicals. The data was collected from 120 vegetable growing farmers in Kolar and Malur talukas by applying simple random sampling technique and pretested interview schedule. Results revealed that more than forty per cent of the vegetable growers (42.50 %) possessed medium level of knowledge on the effects of agricultural chemicals, more than three fourth of the vegetable growers. (77.50 %) knew that taking bath using soap immediately after application of agricultural chemicals was a must, only 53.33 per cent. of the vegetable growers knew that red colour on the agricultural chemical container indicated extremely toxic level, sixty per cent of the vegetable growers knew that usage of same fertilizer for a long time reduces soil fertility, nearly seventy per cent of the vegetable growers (69.17 %) knew about importance of puncturing the pesticide bottle to prevent its reuse and burying it in the waste land as a safe method of disposal. The results of the study implies that still majority of the farmers were largely unaware of ill-effects of agro-chemicals on various entities like soil, underground water, water bodies, soil micro-organisms, natural predators as well as their personal health. This necessitates the extension agencies to sensitize farmers on optimum use of agro-chemicals for a sustainable farming and livelihood. Other variables like age, family size, annual income, size of land holding hardly associated with their knowledge on the effects of agricultural chemicals.