Farmers’ Perception on the Adverse Effects of Pesticides on Environment: The Case of Bangladesh

Type Journal Article - International journal of sustainable agriculture
Title Farmers’ Perception on the Adverse Effects of Pesticides on Environment: The Case of Bangladesh
Author(s)
Volume 4
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2012
Page numbers 25-32
URL http://idosi.org/ijsa/4(2)12/2.pdf
Abstract
Nowadays, beside burgeoning industrialization, modern agriculture is also polluting environment through using assorted agro-chemicals especially pesticides. This continuity will not be clogged if the millions of farmers, who actually carryout the agricultural operations in the fields, do not perceive the consequence of frequent and heavy use of pesticide and behave accordingly. Hence, the present study is conducted to determine the level of farmers’ perception about harmful effects of pesticides on environment. Attempt has also taken to analyze some socio-economic characteristics that influence farmers’ perception. Data were collected from 180 farmers of Dhaka district, Bangladesh through a face to face interview in September to November 2009. Results showed that an overwhelming majority (86.1 %) of the farmers had low to medium level of perception; while only 13.9% farmers had high perception regarding adverse effects of pesticides on environment. Results of linear regression analysis indicated that extension contact, experience in vegetable farming, education and training on integrated pest management (IPM) are the four factors that significantly influence the farmers’ perception. It is concluded that if policy makers and extension organizations concentrate on these factors, then farmers’ will be more aware about the adverse effects of pesticides which is affirmative for sustainable environment as well as sustainable agricultural production.

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