An Analysis Of Knowledge, Skills And Attitude Of Vegetable Growers Regarding Pesticide Use For Sustainable Environmental Health In The Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan’s environment is favorable for pest population growth. Among all crops, vegetables are more vulnerable to the attack of a number of pests. Most of the vegetable crops are sprayed on daily basis and pose a serious threat to humans and environment. In the same context, the present study was designed to analyze the knowledge, skills and attitude of vegetable growers for identification and prioritization of training needs regarding pesticide use for sustainable environmental health and to suggest remedies for the betterment of prevailing situation. Population of study was potato growers in two districts (i.e. Jhang and Okara) which were selected purposely because of top potato growing districts in the Punjab.Two tehsils (Dapalpur and Chinot), one from each district was selected randomly.Sampling frame was constructed by enlisting all potato growers residing in the tehsils and a sample of 367 growers was selected. Data were collected through personal interviews with the help of validated research instrument. On the basis of overall possessed knowledge of the respondents, the training need assessed was at highest level in the area of ill health effects recognition.On the basis of overall possessed skill level, the training need assessed was at highest level in the area of maintenance of pesticide applicator. The respondents also gave their preferences for different aspects of training program to be arranged in future on the basis of training needs assessed in different aspects of pesticide use for sustainable environment health.

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