USE OR MIS-USE OF PESTICIDES: ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE,

ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF FARMERS IN THE CARIBBEAN

Presented by Paulette Bynoe, PhD and Denise Simmons, MSc

FNS First International Conference On Sustainable Development

Georgetown, Guyana

August 13, 2013

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Introduction • Knowledge, Attitude and Practice survey is a representative study of a

specific population to collect information on what is known, believed and done in relation to a particular topic (WHO, 2008).

• Focus of study: pesticides usage in vegetable crops (used to combat malnutrition).

• KAP surveys can identify knowledge gaps, beliefs, or behavioural patterns that may facilitate understanding and action in respect of food security initiatives.

• Research on KAP indicates that unsafe use of pesticides is common in developing countries and that further study is needed to develop and improve interventions on the safe use of pesticides (See for example, Sematong et al., 2008, Janhong et al., 2005, Recera et al., 2006).

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Objectives of the KAP and Laboratory Studies

To assess farmers’ state of knowledge, attitudes and current practices regarding the use of pesticides, and their exposure to these agrochemicals used on farms in selected communities in Guyana, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia and T & T.

To provide recommendations on areas of improvement with the view to developing their capacity to contribute positively to the ‘farm to fork’ model of food security in the Caribbean.

To determine the level of pesticide residues in tomatoes from farms in Guyana and Saint Lucia

To explore the relationship between level of pesticide residues in tomatoes from the selected farms and farmers’ KAP.

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Methodology for Cross-Sectional Survey

• Desk review of available literature (on line) KAP studies and the use of pesticides was undertaken.

• 15 communities were targeted in 4 countries -n= N/1+N (SE)2 using to determine sample size.

• Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 737 farmers, using piloted questionnaire

• Systematic sampling (every nth farm was used to identify the farmers in each community)

Country No. of

Farmers of

Sampled

Percentage

of

Sampled

Population Guyana 327 44.4

Saint Kitts/Nevis

57 7.7

Saint Lucia

67 9.1

Trinidad and Tobago

286 38.8

Total =737

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Methodology for Laboratory Study

• A purposive sampling method was used.

• 10 farms in Black Bay and its environs, Saint Lucia.

• 11 farms in Parika, Guyana

• 9 farms in Black Bush Polder, Guyana

• Samples (1 kg of mature tomatoes in each case) were collected twice during the harvest period, based on a systematic and defined pattern (referred to as an ‘X’ pattern).

• A multi-residue method of analysis was used by CARIRI laboratory – almost fifty active ingredients were studied - pyrethroids, organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides

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Data Analysis: KAP Study

• Focus was given to the following:

– socio- demographic and geographic information of farmers;

– information regarding pesticide use;

– knowledge regarding pesticide use;

– attitude regarding pesticide use; and

– practice regarding pesticide usage.

• Descriptive statistics (central tendency, percentages and variability) were used to organize and characterize the data sets.

• Inferential statistics : Spearman Rank Correlation Co-efficient used to describe strength and direction /statistical dependence between:

– Knowledge and attitude,

– Knowledge and practice; and

– Attitude and practice

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Socio-Demographic Data Variable Mean SD (variability) Kurtosis Comment

Age 43.8 13.4 0.354 Close to normal distribution

Areas of land under cultivation (acres)

7.7 13.8 42.0 Not normal; Guyana is a very large country compared to SIS

Number of years as farmer

20.6 12.4 -0.233 Almost normal distribution

Number of years using pesticides

17.5 11.6 -0.292 Close to normal distribution

Other : 82.1% = male farmers; 17.9% = female farmers (Guyana has highest percentage of female farmer).

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52.3 41.6

4.0 1.4 0.8

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

Never

Other

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Application of Pesticides

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Pesticides

Types of Pests

• Leaf borer

• Stem borer

• Weevil

• Pink mealy bug

• White fly

• Cricket

• Pin worm

• Army worm

• Mites

• Grasshopper

Pesticides Used

• Karate

• Bestoc

• Fastac

• Pestac

• Carbenzine

• Malathion

• Caprid

• Caprisan

• Gramoxone

• Monocrotophus

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Farmers’ Knowledge of Pesticides

(7 questions related to dangers to humans and environment, pathways, and alternative pest control methods: Scores 0-7

Scores Indicators of Knowledge

Countries Communities

0-3

low knowledge Saint Kitts Stapleton and Mansion (31.5%)

4-5

medium knowledge Guyana (66.1%)

6-7

high knowledge Saint Lucia

Black Bay (36.%)

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Farmers’ Attitudes regarding the Use Pesticides

(8 questions on a scale which included both positive and negative) Positive: agree 3, no opinion=2, disagree = 1 and reverse for negative; scores

varied from 1 -24 )

Scores Indicator of Attitudes

Countries Communities

17-24

Positive (Correct)

Saint Kitts (98%)

Stapleton

9-16

Neutral

Guyana (30.2%)

1-8

Negative (Wrong) Guyana Note: Only 0.6 % (2) farmers displayed such an attitude as repres. by score

Parika

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Farmers’ Practice of Pesticides Usage (8 questions) Focus on how often farmers apply pesticides; read labels, follow recommended dosage, mix pesticides, use protective equipment, consider wind direction etc.

Scores: usually =4; sometimes=3; rarely=2; never =1 Scores range from 1-32

Scores Indicator of Practice Countries Communities

23-32

Good practice

Trinidad (73.0%)

Freeport

11-22

Fair practice

Saint Kitts/Nevis (56.1%)

<11

Poor practice Saint Lucia (6.0%)

Black Bay

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Inferential Statistics The association between knowledge and attitude; knowledge and practice

and attitude and practice

Variables Statistic test Spearman’s rho

P value

Knowledge & Attitude Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient

-0.103 (significance=.003)

0.05

Knowledge & Practice Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient

-0.083 (significance=0.13)

0.05

Attitude & Practice Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient

0.164 (significance=0.000)

0.05

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Inferences

• There is a strong inverse relationship between knowledge and attitude.

• There is a weak inverse relationship between knowledge and practice, but it is not significant.

• There is a relatively strong positive relationship between attitude and practice: attitude positively influences practice.

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Laboratory Results for samples taken from Black Bay, Saint Lucia

• Pesticide residues were found in 3 of the 10 samples; and then in 4 of the 10 samples

• Pesticide residues that were present were:

– cypermethrin < 0.2 mg/kg

– profenofos < 10 mg/kg

– permethrin < 1 mg/kg

– All of the pesticide residues found were below the MRLs

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• In both the first and second sets of samples, pesticide residues were found in 2 of the 11 (samples)

• Pesticide residues that were present were: Chlorpyrifos,

cypermethrin, triazophos.

• Pesticide residues were found above the MRLs in 2 of first set of samples; and in 1 of second set of samples

– Cypermethrin (0.23 mg/kg as compared to MRL of 0.2 mg/kg)

– Triazophos (0.12 mg/ kg as compared to MRL of 0.01 mg/kg)

Laboratory Results for samples taken from Parika, Guyana

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• Pesticide residues were found in 4 of the 9 samples; and then in 1 of the 9 samples

• Pesticide residues that were present were: profenofos, cypermethrin

• Pesticide residues were found above the MRLs in 1 sample each in the first and second sets of samples:

- Cypermethrin = 0.23 mg/kg as compared to 0.2 mg/kg.

Laboratory Results for samples taken from Black Bush Polder, Guyana

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• St. Lucia has the highest percentage (36%) of farmers with high level of

knowledge relating to pesticides. Note: pesticide residues levels are not above the MRLs.

• Guyana: Less farmers in Parika (14%) and Black Black Bush Polder (15%) have a high knowledge of pesticides than Saint Lucia.

• Notably, in both Black Bush Polder and Parika where pesticide residues showed higher levels than the MRLs, 24% and 18% of the farmers have low knowledge of pesticides, compared to 13% in Saint Lucia.

Results - exploration of relationship between the level of pesticide residues and farmers, KAP

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Concluding Statements

• Farmers’ KAP with regard to pesticides use vary within and across countries.

• Knowledge does not necessarily lead to positive/correct attitude.

• Knowledge does not necessarily translate into good practice.

• Good practice increases with the correct attitude.

• Abuse of pesticides is minimal.

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Recommendations for Food Safety

Periodic testing of crops for pesticides residues is necessary.

Need for increased knowledge on pathways of pesticide, IPM etc.

Monitoring by Extension Officers is vital .

More education (long term tool, using formal and non-formal

Experiential learning through demonstration more projects may change attitude and practice

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Acknowledgements

• CIFSRF CARICOM UWI-McGill Food Security Project for providing finance;

• Kristine Erskine for assisting in the training of enumerators;

• Communities of farmers in the Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts/Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago; and

• Research assistants (Michelle Astwood, Robin Singh and others.

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Thank you for listening

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