Farmers’ Knowledge on Pesticide Safety and Pest Management Practices: A Case Study of Vegetable Growers in Chitwan, Nepal
by
Jhalendra P. Rijal 1,*
, Rajendra Regmi 2, Rajan Ghimire 3, Krishna D. Puri 4, Sudan Gyawaly 5 and Sujata Poudel 6
Jhalendra P. Rijal 1,*, Rajendra Regmi 2, Rajan Ghimire 3, Krishna D. Puri 4, Sudan Gyawaly 5 and Sujata Poudel 6
1
University of California Cooperative Extension & Statewide IPM Program, Modesto, CA 95358, USA
2
Department of Entomology, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan 44209, Nepal
3
Agricultural Science Center, New Mexico State University, Clovis, NM 88101, USA
4
Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
5
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
6
Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Government of Nepal, Khumaltar, Lalitpur 44700, Nepal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agriculture 2018, 8(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture8010016
Received: 18 December 2017 / Revised: 15 January 2018 / Accepted: 16 January 2018 / Published: 22 January 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticides in Agriculture System)
Farmers’ knowledge on pesticides and their safe use are critical for implementing effective pest management program. A household survey was conducted using the semi-structured questionnaire to evaluate vegetable growers’ knowledge on pesticide safety and pest management practices in Nepal. Results indicated that chemical pesticides were the primary choice of over 80% growers for pest management. Notably, 90% growers were aware of adverse effects of pesticides on human health and to the environment. Over 84% growers used at least one form of personal protection equipment (PPE) during pesticide spray or handling, although the quality and appropriateness of the PPE warrants further investigation. Nearly 17% growers received at least one short-term training on integrated pest management (IPM); however, all of them neither knew the harmful effects of pesticide residues nor practiced proper pesticide disposal methods. Over 90% of growers rely on local pesticide retailers (i.e., Agro-vets) for technical know-how about pesticide selection, handling, and use. This study highlighted a need for immediate implementation of strict pesticide use regulations and recommended educational programs for pest control professionals, growers, and pesticide retailers.
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Keywords:
pesticide exposure; IPM; personal protective equipment; Nepal
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MDPI and ACS Style
Rijal, J.P.; Regmi, R.; Ghimire, R.; Puri, K.D.; Gyawaly, S.; Poudel, S. Farmers’ Knowledge on Pesticide Safety and Pest Management Practices: A Case Study of Vegetable Growers in Chitwan, Nepal. Agriculture 2018, 8, 16.
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