Knowledge on Hazards of Pesticide Usage and Practice of Safety Measures among Farmers

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge of the hazards of pesticide usage and the Practice of safety measures among farmers in selected panchayats of Kozhikode district. The objectives were to assess knowledge on pesticide hazards, identify safety practices, determine the relationship between knowledge and Practice, and find associations with selected variables. A non-experimental descriptive survey design was used with 140 farmers who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule and a reported practice checklist. Results revealed that 87% of participants had good knowledge, 13% had average knowledge, and none had poor knowledge regarding pesticide hazards. Similarly, 91.4% of farmers demonstrated good Practice, and 8.57% had average practice levels. Knowledge was significantly associated with education and crop type (p<0.05), while Practice was associated with years of experience (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and safety practices (r = 0.187, p = 0.027). The study concludes that most farmers possess good knowledge and Practice of pesticide safety, but continuous education and awareness are essential to promote sustainable and safe agricultural practices