Pesticide Usage Among Farmers of South India: Need for Assessing Perceptions for Effective Risk Communication

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ISEE-503 Objective: To assess the extent of pesticide usage and pesticide application practices among farmers of Thanjavur District in South India. Material and Methods: Six hundred thirty-one farmers were interviewed during a cross-sectional survey (537 men and 94 women). Trained interviewers administered pretested interview schedules to farmers, in their place of work. Data analysis was done with SPSS statistical package. Results: Four hundred thirty-three (68.6%) farmers sprayed pesticides and therefore were directly exposed to pesticides. Prevalent handling and spraying practices suggest an increased risk of exposure to pesticides. Some such practices studied were the use pesticides of either “moderately” or “highly hazardous” category (75% of farmers), nonuse of any personal protective equipment while handling pesticides (88%), mixing of different brands of pesticides (50%), chewing of gum or tobacco while spraying (34%), improper methods of disposal of used pesticide containers (88%) etc. As an off-shoot of such practices, about 84% of the farmers reported at least 1 sign or symptom of pesticide exposure. However, risk communication for safe use of pesticides through credible sources was minimal. Public agricultural extension network was considered to be a source of information only by 6% of the farmers. Fifty-six percent of farmers obtained information from private retail shop owners. Conclusions: The perception of risk with respect to pesticide exposure and its environmental and health impacts affects the pesticide application practices. The non-use of personal protective equipment could suggest the lower perceived risk to pesticides. There is need for awareness generation among the farmers regarding use of protective gear while handling pesticides. Effective risk communication through IEC campaigns and incentives are required to influence pesticide usage. Concerted efforts are also required to promote organic farming and use of less harmful pesticides.