Behavioural Changes Due to Pesticide Application Among the Farmers of Permanent Food Production Parkin Selangor

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2016-11-14

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Pesticide has been considered a very important component in modern agriculture to ensure the production of high productivity. But at the same time, there is much evidence to show that there is danger faced directly and indirectly as a result of the use of these chemicals on human health and the environment. Many efforts have been initiated by the government to increase the awareness of farmers on the side effects of these chemicals and to maximize the benefits of these pesticides to ensure minimal risk to humans and the environment. The objective of this study was to examine the behaviour of farmers using pesticides in the farms of the Permanent Food Production Park in Selangor. The study was conducted by questionnaire. Data collection was carried out on 350 farmers of the Permanent Food Production Park covering the whole state of Selangor. The analysis found that nearly half or 47.5% of farmers experienced symptoms of intoxication, dizziness and nausea after using the pesticides while 23.8% of farmers experienced symptoms of dizziness. About 17.6% of the farmers experienced irritation to the skin. Slightly more than half the farmers (58.8%) sent their empty pesticide containers to the collection site. The rest of the farmers disposed off their pesticide containers the unsafe way by dumping them indiscriminately into canals, streams and drains. Some threw them in their own backyards, save for other use, sell, burn and also throwing them into the regular garbage dump. The safest way is for the farmers to send them to the collection site to be disposed off in a secure way by the relevant authorities. Of the 12 locations conducted in the Permanent Food Production Park, only one location showed that the farmers there practiced safe pesticide handling at a low level while in the other 11 locations the farmers there on average practiced safe pesticide handling at a moderate level. This indicates that the farmers on average practiced safe pesticide handling at a moderate level with none practising at a high level. The analysis also revealed that only 57.0% of the farmers attended pesticide safety courses. This study is expected to assist the Department of Agriculture in formulating appropriate interventions to ensure that the farmers practice safe pesticide use in a sustainable manner as practiced internationally

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