Problems of Usage of Pesticides by Vegetable Growers of Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Pesticides indisputably are poisonous, their random use and abuse may result in ecological disturbance and environmental pollution, carrying serious health hazards to man and animals. So, special emphasis was given in this study to assess the problems faced by the vegetable growers due to improper use of pesticides on vegetable crops in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Multi-stage random sampling technique and universe method were adopted for the selection of area and respondents. The study revealed that majority of respondents in the valley had no information on safe use of pesticides and were dependent on Agricultural input retailers’ for pesticide usage advisories. While only one per cent respondents had information from formal information sources and did pesticide application safely. The main health related problems faced by the vegetable growers due to unsafe application of pesticides were bad odour, breathing problem, weakness, vomiting, body pain, headache, itching, and drowsiness. This study highlights the need for sensitization of vegetable growers of the valley for safe use of pesticides by government extension agencies and NGOs through awareness programmes so that these health hazards can be avoided.