EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES ON MALE FARMER’S HEALTH: A STUDY OF MUZAFFAR GARH

Abstract

Application of pesticides are made to control those insects and pest that approach the crops and damage them. From centuries,for the protection of crops, different sorts of pesticides are in practice. On the one hand pesticide benefits the crops, meanwhile it injurious for environment and & human health. Because it’s unnecessary application poses negative effects on biodiversity and all living organism i.e. birds, animals and human etc. faces threats for their survival. Study objectives were (i) to find out the effects of pesticides on farmer’s health and (ii) to suggest some recommendations for future policy to improve farmer’s health. For this study, a sample of 160 respondents (male farmers) were selected through multistage sampling technique. At first stage, 4 union councils from total 111 UCs, at second stage, 8 localities/ Basties /urban areas (2 from each union council) were selected randomly and at third stage, 20 respondents from each locality were selected by convenient sampling technique. Results showed that majority respondents were young illiterate married persons who were living in joint family system (62.5%); had family income Rs. 12,001-25,000 (63.1%); land tendency status of majority (91.3%) was own cultivator and 1-4 acres cultivate per year(45.0%). Majority (86.9%) of the respondents said that through inhalation source pesticides enter the human body and they prepared the pesticides stuff in field (94.3%). Data also showed about pesticides usage in crops and its different effects on farmer’s health i.e. heard about illness caused by pesticides (87.5%); is cause of air pollution (65.6%); pesticides particularly harmful for farm workers health (88.8%); after the application of pesticides, farmers faced health problems (83.8%); family members felt sick (71.9%) while after handling pesticides they faced shortness of breath (75.6%); experienced redness of skin (69.4%), nervous disorder (77.5%), headache (56.9%), excessive sweating (51.2%), diarrhea (75.0%); abdominal pain (73.1%); eyes burning (85.0%); respiratory disorder (76.3%); dry cough (80.0%); fever (81.2%); dry throat (84.4%); sleeplessness and laziness (76.9%); vomiting (78.8%); vision disturbance (86.9%) and pesticides usage is the risk of cancer (81.9%). Data showed that during pesticides spray respondents used the different personal protective equipment i.e. ordinary clothes to apply pesticides (98.1%); long-sleeved shirt (81.9%); spray coat with hoods (80.0%); gumboots (85.0%); nose masks (89.4%); goggles (66.2%) and hand gloves (66.9%)as well as take a shower immediately after mixing/ spraying (86.9%). Bi-variate analysis showed significant relationship between more the use of improper goggles vs. more the burning of eyes and more the use of improper nose mask vs. more the respiratory disorder problems among farmers. Govt. need to take strict action & measures against producers of hazardous & injurious pesticides and through intensive trainings, & short term courses guide farmers regarding safe & harmless application of pesticides to protect themselves.