Pesticide Use, Farmer Knowledge and Awareness in Thong Pha Phum Region, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

Western Thong Pha Phum settlement is an agricultural community in Kanchanaburi Province. Cultivation of field crops, rice and horticulture in the region require an extensive use of pesticides to control pests and weeds. These pesticides may contaminate the environment and affect the health of organisms in the area, including humans. The purposes of this research were to determine type and quantity of pesticide used in the area and to assess knowledge, awareness and behavior of the farmers in Thong Pha Phum region. According to the purposive interview of 100 farmers during 2006-2007, 84% of farmers used pesticide in their agricultural activities. The most commonly used herbicides were glyphosate and paraquatdichloride and the most commonly used insecticides were methomyl, chlorpyrifos and parathion methyl. The heaviest use of herbicide occurred in May or beginning of the rainy season when farmers prepared their fields for new crop, and the heaviest use of insecticide occurred in April in order to control the outbreak of aphids. Surveys on knowledge and behavior related to the safe use of pesticides showed that the farmers had sufficient knowledge on general practice for the safe use of pesticide. However, knowledge on how to read the safety symbols on pesticide label, standard first-aid protocol and the awareness on potential exposure during pesticide spraying were still poorly perceived by the farmers.