Factors Related to Pesticide Application Behavior of Vegetable Growers in Mueang Mo Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phrae Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to study 1) the behavior of usage pesticide of vegetable growers in Mueang Mo subdistrict, Mueang district, Phrae province and 2) to analyze factors related to the pesticide usage behavior of vegetable growers. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a population of 66 growers who were registered as members of the Vegetable Large Scale Agricultural Promotion System Project Group Mueang Mo subdistrict. Data were analyzed by using percentage, mean, standard deviation and multiple regression analysis. The results found that 51.5 percent of the growers were male, with an average age of 61.2 years, and 56.1 percent completed primary education. They had an average annual income of 87,118.18 baht. Growers had an average of 16.1 years of experience growing vegetables, with 83.3 percent preferring to grow leafy vegetables, 74.2 percent used personal funds, knowledge about the use of pesticide was obtained through self-learning by 37.3 percent with a moderate level of knowledge and understanding about pesticide use. From the analysis of factors related to correctly pesticide use behavior. It was found that knowledge factors before and while using pesticides, and participation of growers with the government were factors that significantly (P<0.05) affects the behavior of growers correctly using pesticides. Therefore, knowledge about the proper use of pesticide should be provided to growers. So that growers can use pesticides more accurately.