Tribal Farmers' Knowledge and Attitude on Safe Pesticide Use in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

The objective of this research was to gather the basic information concerning farmers' knowledge and attitude on safe pesticide use of Hmong and Karen in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai in order to apply this information for training program on safe pesticide use for agencies concerned. Populatiom used were 22 Hmong farmers in Ban Pui Nua and Ban Pui Tai and 17 Karen farmers in Ban Sun Poo Luey and Pui Kariang as well as agricultural officers and pesticide dealers

From research findings, it was found that farmers applied three kinds of pesticide, namely, insecticide, fungicide and herbicide. Most farmers sprayed pesticide 7 days before selling which was the right time. Farmers mixed pesticide by themselves but bought it without any suggestion from dealers. Usually, farmers stored pesticide at their homes but some kept it in the forest or in their own farms. Some used mask and boots for protection while some wore special coat while spraying. Some merely used thick cloth with long sleeves or covered their faces with loin cloth. Farmers infected from pesticide felt headache with irritated skin or ever vomited for severe case. For healing, they drank salt water or sugar dissolved in water or had medicine for allergy or herbs. From blood testing of 200 farmers at Mae Chaem hospital, only 1 severe case and 17 infected farmers were found.

It is recommended to disseminate knowledge on pesticide use through broadcastion station by using tribal languages, demonstration plots for safe pesticide use by farmers, to campaign the reduction use of pesticide by focusing on school students, e.g. chemical free vegetable growing and to promote “Integrated Pest Management” (IPM) by using neems, predators and parasites, insect trap and glue or thuricide.