Green Global
Foundation   Journal
...an emerging window for scientific research and publication across the globe

IMPACT OF AGRO-CHEMICAL USES ON FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS: A STUDY OF SIRAJGANJ DISTRICT, BANGLADESH (Pages : 13 - 21)

Presently, the indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals in Bangladesh has been a dangerous issue for agricultural production, soil and health. The purposes of this study were to identify the farmers' perceptions of the harmful effects of using agro-chemicals and to determine their selected seven characteristics, namely age, education, farm size, cosmopolitans, organizational participation, attitude and knowledge on IPM (Integrated Pest Management) towards the use of agro-chemicals. The study also investigated the associations between farmers' specific characteristics and their awareness of the detrimental effects associated with the use of agro-chemicals in crop production. The study was conducted among the farmers of four villages, namely Raghunathpur, Bhuiyaganthi, Rayahati and Kashempur, in the Ghurka union of Rayganj Upazila under Sirajganj district. Personal interviews were conducted using a structured interview schedule during the period from September 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023. Scales tailored to measure the variables were devised. Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was employed to assess the relationships between the variables in question. Findings revealed that three-fourths (79%) of the respondents had a medium level of knowledge about their health and perceptions of the harmful effects of using agro-chemicals, as compared to 11% with low and 10% with high knowledge. Correlation analysis indicated that five characteristics of farmers, namely education, farm size, organizational participation, cosmopolitans and knowledge on IPM had significant positive relationships with their perceptions of the harmful effects of using agro-chemicals. On the contrary, attitudes towards the use of agro-chemicals exhibited a notable adverse correlation. The age of the respondents showed no association with their awareness of the detrimental effects of using agro-chemicals. Therefore, it is recommended that the government start its awareness-raising campaigns immediately.Download