Impacts and the Ways to Reduce Impacts from Using Pesticides in Farmers at Tali Sub-District, Kumpawapi District, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to explore impacts and the ways to reduce impacts of using pesticides in farmers at Tali sub-district, Kumpawapi district, Udon Thaini province. Key informants were 14 farmers, 12 community persons (e.g. community leaders, health personnel and village health volunteers), and 3 local government officers. Data were collected by related documents, in-depth interviews and focus groups, and analyzed by thematic analysis.

The results revealed that the main factors leading to use pesticides of farmers were convenient needs, quick success of having products and having economic problems within the households. Regarding impacts of using pesticides, positive aspect was helping to enhance family economics, while negative aspects were health, environment and social drawbacks. In addition, the farmers seemed lacking of self-awearness and misbehaving in using pesticides. The main way to motivate for decreasing using pesticides was having health impacts of the farmers and their families. The suggested means for decreasing using pesticides of farmers were enhancing self-awareness of the farmers, providing clear policies and plans of the related agencies, and participating of communities and networks.