Abstract:
The present study was carried to understand the knowledge and attitude on pesticide application among
commercial scale vegetable farmers in Matara District, Sri Lanka. Data were collected from a sample of
fifty Brinjal and Cucurbitaceous vegetable cultivating farmers, using pre-tested questionnaire and focused
group discussions with agricultural instructors and, representatives of farmer's organization and pesticide
dealers. Farmers were selected from the five agricultural service centers, using stratified sampling
technique. For control pests and diseases a majority of farmers (80%) used synthetic pesticides while
only a few farmers (20% ) used both synthetic and botanical pesticides. About 72% of farmers always
apply pesticides prior to the appearance of any symptoms of pest or disease, as a precautionary measure.
The percentage of pesticide overdosing farmers was 58%. They believe that that recommendations and
instructions given in the pesticide product labels are ineffective. About 48% of vegetable farmers wear
protective garments during the pesticide spraying, but only 32% of the farmers used gloves and boots.
Most of the issues at the user's level are associated with lack of awareness, poor attitudes and behaviors
of farmers and weaknesses in the extension system. Thus, there is a need to change farmer's attitudes
through awareness Campaigns and, to empower the farmer organizations to tackle the issues at farm level.
