Participatory management of agrochemical packaging waste among farmers to prevent chemical contamination of Phetchaburi River

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) examine the basic characteristics of farmers (2) investigate farmers’ behaviors regarding the use and management of agrochemical packaging waste (3) analyze the relationship between personal factors and behaviors related to the management of agrochemical packaging waste and (4) propose guidelines for managing agrochemical packaging waste. A mixed-methods research design was employed. The sample consisted of two groups (1) 391 farming households, selected through accidental sampling from four districts, such as Kaeng krachan, Tha yang, Ban lat and Mueang district. Data were collected by questionnaire and (2) 12 community leaders and representatives of relevant agencies, including community leaders, farmer representatives, district agricultural officers, and public health officers who were selected through purposive sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The findings from both groups were then integrated to develop a draft of participatory guidelines for agrochemical packaging waste management. The draft was subsequently reviewed in a meeting involving 60 participants, including farmers, community leaders and agricultural academics from the district agricultural office in order to jointly consider and refine the proposed guidelines. The findings revealed that insecticides were the most commonly used agrochemicals among farmers (24.8%). Most of the agrochemicals used were in liquid form (57.1%), and the majority were contained in plastic packaging with package sizes of less than 1 kg or 1 l accounting for 20.6%. Farmers’ behaviors regarding the sorting and storage of agrochemical packaging waste were at the level of “sometimes” (  ± S.D. = 2.33 ± 0.54 and 2.30 ± 0.55, respectively), whereas their behavior regarding disposal was at the level of “never practiced” ( ± S.D. = 1.58 ± 0.43), particularly concerning unsanitary disposal practices. Receipt of knowledge or training was significantly associated with disposal behavior (p<.05) but showed no statistically significant association with sorting or storage behaviors.