Knowledge Attitude and Practice on Pesticide Application of Hmong Vegetable Grower in Chiang Mai

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the present situation of chemical application of Hmong vegetable growers. The result will be useful for an extension program on proper chemical used and for reducing enviromental pollution.

Quantitative approach is used by interviewing 121 farmers in Amphoe Chiang Dao, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Mae Chaem, Chiang Mai province. For the social status; the majority of respondents were male at 34 years old and most of them were married. Average family size was 9.21 persons, from which average agricultural labor was 4.88 persons per family, 32.2% of the respondents could not read and write Thai. The growers had vegetable production experience in the average of 10.49 years with vegetable production area of 6.98 rai and 50.1% of the growers choosed the chemicals by themselves. Average income from vegetable production in 1997 was 48,873.91 Baht, and average chemical expenditure was 3,264.95 Baht. 86.8% of the growers had never checked their health for chemical residue in their blood. For the group with blood checking 37.5% were found the residue in a critical amount.

Research finding showed that 47.1% of the growers had knowledge on pesticide application at medium level, by which the average score of knowledge was 11.82 form 20 points. For the appropiate method of chemical application, grower at amount of 63.6% practiced a very correct technique, whereas 28.1% practiced a half correct method.

There was a positive correlation among knowledge, attitude and chemical application technique.