Al-Zyoud, F.

2014

Indiscriminate use and improper application of pesticides by Jordanian vegetable and fruit farmers.

Bull. Fac. Agric., Cairo Univ., 65: 344-359.

The majority of Jordanian farmer do not understand the harmful effects that pesticides have on health and environment.

The fate and impact of pesticides application in Jordan remain unknown in the public and farmer eye. For this purpose, Jordanian vegetable farmers were questioned about their social aspects, types of pests encountered, and pesticides knowledge, practices, safety and resources by conducting a countrywide survey of farmers during 2014. Results revealed that 66% of respondents have good knowledge of pesticide use, and 85% of them read the label before applying pesticides. Approximately 56% of the farmers applied pesticides when necessary, while 29% applied pesticides weekly. A very high percent (93%) of farmers believed that they will still applying pesticides in the coming years. Almost 74% of the farmers were found to use both preventive and cure pesticides, 73% applied pesticides at the morning and only 39% at the evening. Middle pesticides’ rate was applied by 59% and higher rate by 38% of the farmers. Data indicated that a wide variety of chemicals were being applied by the farmers. Using bio-pesticides had the least concern by farmers. The farmers have faced many pesticide-related illnesses and injuries. About 14% of farmers did not wear protective cloths during application, 11% stored pesticides in house, 58% burnt empty containers, and 39% did not keep any records. Private consultant and pesticides’ companies (42%) were the most popular source of information. Almost 25% of farmers had been involved in pesticides’ training program, and 78% reported seeking for information about pesticides. On the other hand, education has positively and significantly correlated with knowledge of pesticides use and involving in pesticides training programs, while reading label had positively and significantly correlated with education and negatively with age. There was a positive and significant correlation between involving in pesticides training program and knowledge of pesticides use. In conclusion, farmers depended heavily on pesticides use for pest control, and the survey has shown some overuse, misuse and abuse of pesticides.