Application of Pesticide in Bangladesh

Application of Pesticide:

Most of the farmers in the village depend on local traders/dealers in selecting the brand or type of pesticide to be used to save their crops from pest infestation. Actually, they have little idea about types and dosages of pest. However, some literate farmers also get information from the instruction written on pesticides label. Some farmers used lower dosage than the recommended rate. Shortage of cash money was the main cause of using lower dosages, while some farmers used higher dosages than the recommended level. Farmers’ inadequate knowledge on appropriate dosages was the main cause of using the higher dosages.

Methods of pest control:

It was evident that 100% farmers in the study area preferred the application of chemicals to control the insect/pests in their infested plots. Although cultural practice is very effective in controlling the insect/pest and the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method is advocated everywhere but only 15% farmers were found to follow the cultural method. Very small portion of the farmers (3%) followed the traditional way of controlling insect/pest in their plots. They used either botanicals (such as Neem leaf extract) or sprayed kerosene oil in the infested plots.

Pesticides Handling and Precautionary Practice:

 In most occasions (88%) the farmers were himself sprayed or applied the pesticide in the rice field. Only in 12% cases the application of pesticide was done by other persons. Farmer in the study area took different protective measures during spraying. It is evident that, 81% applicator used only the partial protective clothing while they were engaged in spraying. It was astonishing that in 15% cases of pesticide application, the applicator did not use any additional protective clothing. However, it was obviously impressive that 92% cases the pesticide applicator avoided consuming anything during the tine of spraying but in 6% case the pesticide applicator consumed something, which could have been absolutely risky.

Now a days’ environmental degradation has been becoming a major concern. Pesticides use is one of the important man-made causes for environmental degradation. It is evident from the analysis that 79% of the large farmers, 58% medium farmers and 24% of the small farmers stated in favor of environment quality deterioration due to pesticide use and they expect improvement. Among the small farmers 35% said environmental change is not a concern to them. Substantial portions of the small (29%), medium (23%) and large (14%) farmers reported environment as appearing same as before.

Recommendation Application of Pesticide

Ø  Awareness should be generated among the farmers about adverse effect of pesticides on their health and environment.

Ø  Farmers should be motivated to gather knowledge and impart proper training about pesticides use and management.

Ø  Alternative methods of pest control should be considered to make the environment friendly.