Attitude towards Pesticide Risk Reduction of the Mango Growers

Aims: The purpose of the study was to assess the attitudes of mango growers towards the pesticide risk reduction.

Study Design: Eighty four (84) respondents were selected as sample from a recent list of 335 mango growers using multi-stage random sampling method. The population size consists of the mango growers of the sadar upazila of Dinajpur district.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Sadar upazila under Dinajpur district. Data were collected by a pre-tested interview schedule during 23rd April to 26th May 2014.

Methodology: Scales were used to measure information transfer. An open form question was designed to obtain information like knowledge on pesticide use which was measured by rating scores. Five point Likert scale was used for ascertaining attitude towards pesticide risk reduction.

Results: Two-thirds (66.2 percent) of the respondents had less favorable attitude followed by 21.3 percent had medium favorable and only 12.5 percent had high favorable attitude towards pesticide risk reduction. Among the independent variables educational qualification, information transfer and knowledge on pesticide use of the respondents showed positive significant relationships with their attitude towards pesticide risk reduction. Most of the mango growers i.e. 70.24 percent use safety shoes, 60.71 percent use cap, 23.81 percent use gloves, traditionally 22.62 percent use towel as mask, 11.90 percent use safety glasses and only 4.76 percent use shirt as apron during pesticide application. However, some complained that they were not aware about PPE.

Conclusion: To promote awareness and minimize the risk of pesticide exposure in using PPE and there is a need for better sanitation facilities and hygiene that improves the attitude of the mango growers.