A study on farmers’ behavior on chemical utilization for the protection, control and elimination of rice in Tajean watershed (Chainart and Suphanburi province)

Abstract

The research is to reveal the farmers’ behavior in applying chemical pesticides in rice field ofTha Chin River Basin in Chainat and Suphanburi Provinces. The survey has been exercised by questionnaires. Basedon the sampling of 400 farmers at Chainat and Suphanburi Provinces, the data analysis is applied by SPSS programfor windows of which the research outcome is as follows:With size of paddy field averagely 45.13 rai, their produces were directly sold to the industrial company orrice mill (87.00 %) and through the middlemen willing to arrive at their farmland (9.00 %). Launched in retail andwholesale (0.75%), produces selling or distribution was operated as a part of cluster group themselves (6.25%).Received Information of chemical pesticides practice with low and fair, most of informants have never beenparticipated in any training on chemical pesticides application. Fertilizer formulas utilization were 46-0-0, 16-20-0,20-0-0, 13-13-21 and 18-45-0. Chemical pesticides mostly applied by informants were namely: Abamactin,Chlorpyrifos, Gyphosate, Metaldehyde, Fenobucarb, Dinotefuran, Propiconazole. Most of farmers have never gotharmful/accidents nor got sick from pesticides. Furthermore, they were well given knowledge of hazard fromchemical pesticide application. From the precaution was made to self prevention by using personal protectiveequipment prior to mixing and spraying chemical pesticides.However, almost of farmers had high to average knowledge of chemical pesticides application(The score of 9 or more from the total score of 15), the average knowledge of pesticides hazards (the score of 5-8from the total of 10) and had average to high proper behavior-use of pesticides (the score of 30 or more from the totalscore of 57). The statistically significant at 0.05, affected on the behavior-use of chemical pesticides of the farmers inthe study areas were period of occupation experience, information received on chemical pesticides application,sickness as a result of chemical pesticides application and consumption of plants/animals in the study areas.