Pesticide use and risk perceptions among farmers in southwest Iran

Abstract:

Pesticide use and farmers’ perceptions of risk of unsafe use of pesticides were

explored in Fars Province, Iran. One hundred and fifty-five farmers engaged in

pesticide handling were selected through a proportional stratified random sampling

method with age as the stratification variable.Most of the farmers were not following

basic pesticide safety measures and the majority of them (about 60%) were not

using any protective equipment when spraying pesticides. Based on four identified

factors, which explained 58% of the total variance in risk perceptions of unsafe use

of pesticides, three segments of farmers were revealed. Segment A included 30.3%

of the farmers who had the lowest perceived risk of unsafe use of pesticides (i.e.,

they perceived unsafe use of pesticides as not so dangerous). Segment B, which

was the largest segment revealed, showed intermediate perceived risk of unsafe use

of pesticides and all of four factors as well. However, segment C with 16.7% of

farmers, reported the highest perceived risk of unsafe use of pesticides (i.e., they

perceived unsafe use of pesticides as very dangerous). To develop a more targeted

agricultural extension program, selected characteristics with respect to each segment

were explored and compared.