Farmer’s knowledge about safe plant protection measures in vegetable crops in Bundelkhand

Abstract

Farmers’ knowledge on pesticides and their safe use of pesticides in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. The research was framed with Ex-post facto design. The study was carried out in 6 villages randomly selected from two blocks of Banda district where vegetable was the major crop. A sample of 90 vegetable growers was randomly selected from selected villages. It was observed that the majority were male, middle aged, possessed medium level of education and having nuclear and large family, social participation very low and annual income upto Rs. 50,000/. While, extension contact and mass media exposures was found on an average level. Research findings show that the majority of vegetable farmers having medium level of knowledge about use of pesticides in vegetable cultivation have (73.33%) vegetable growers. Age, education, mass media and farming experience in vegetable cultivation had positive and highly significant correlation with knowledge while, landholding, social participation and extension contact had a positive and highly significant correlation with knowledge. Appropriate safety precautions must be taken to avoid pesticide-related harms.