Abstract:
Pesticide spraying has become a common practice in commercial vegetable
cultivation with the adoption of new technologies. In spite the benefits,
pesticides pose potential hazards to human health and to the ecosystem
when inappropriately handled. Sri Lankan farmers often use pesticides
based on their experience and misuse and overuse often lead to health and
environmental threats. Hence this study was conducted to assess the
farmer’s knowledge and practices on safe use of pesticides among
vegetable farmers in Badulla district. Vegetable farmers (n=100) were
selected by using proportionate sampling, and primary data were collected
from them through personal interviews. Results revealed that 92% of
farmers were engaged in full time vegetable cultivation. Almost all the
farmers depended on the chemical pesticide for the management of pests.
About 93% of farmers used Marshal 20 SC (Carbosulfan) which is a broad
spectrum carbamate pesticide that acts by inhibiting the activity of
acetylcholineesterase to control insect pests. 68% of farmers used Cabrio
Top (Pyraclostrobin 5%+ Metiram 55% WG), the broadspectrum fungicide.
All farmers use at least one precautionary measure during the pesticide
application. Only 40% of farmers used gloves during pesticide application
and 79% of farmers used caps. About 90% of the farmers read the label on
the pesticide bottle before using it. 96% of the farmers washed the clothes
that they were wearing during pesticide application separately. Almost all
farmers avoid splashing, spilling, leakage during spraying. Results of the
chi-quare analysis revealed that there was a highly significant association
observed between the education level of the farmer and reading the label
before opening the pesticide container (χ 2 = 11.4, p < 0.01). It is
recommended to conduct awareness programs to change farmers’ attitudes
towards judicious and safe use of pesticides.