A Detailed Survey on Awareness, Knowledge and Practice of Pesticides Used Against Various Vegetables, Fruits and Cereal Crops Grown in and Around Udaipur Region of South Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT: The present study was designed to have an insight into the different crops grown, gain information about the different pesticides used, the various practices adopted for the storage, application, and disposal of pesticides, and to know the awareness status of the farmers of in and around Udaipur region regarding the harmful effects of pesticides. An explicit and detailed questionnaire was prepared and formal interviews and field observations were used to gather information on farmers’ knowledge of pesticides and safety practices. The survey was conducted between February, 2021 to September, 2021. The survey questionnaire was developed to document the information regarding types of crops grown, pesticides used, their dosage and application pattern, and associated hazards. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and getting a questionnaire filled by 304 farmers. The target of the study was explained to these respondents and the questionnaire was duly signed to seek their consent in order to ensure their cooperation, which was very important for the study. It was evident from the survey that 59% of respondents had ensured safe storage and 31% stored them in open fields, 59.44% of respondents placed the empty containers in the trash; 11.24% discarded them in the field and 25.30% burnt them at the farm itself, 87.56% respondents ensured that they washed hands properly with soap after using pesticides; 33.31% ensured the use of face mask and 72.54% respondents were aware of pesticide associated risk and contamination and 27.46% didn’t have many ideas about it. The results reveal that the most commonly used pesticides were 2,4-D, profenofos, phorate, atrazine, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, glyphosate, etc. some of these pesticides are under restricted use and belong to the highly toxic group as classified by World Health Organization. Summing up the results obtained, it is suggested that proper monitoring of pesticides along with awareness amongst the farmers of the Udaipur region is needed to minimize the dangerous effect of pesticides on humans and the environment as 27.46% of respondents which could be either farm owners or farm laborers are unaware about the pesticide associated risks. However, the remaining 72.54% were not fully aware of the proper usage of pesticides of the proper all pesticides. Furthermore, it is suggested that in addition to extensive awareness drive, alternatives to chemical control of pests like integrated pest management, use of biopesticides, etc., should be developed, disseminated, and reinforced.  Keywords: Environment, Endosulfan, 2,4-D, Safety practices, Pesticide.