Pesticide selection criteria of farmers for insect-pests and disease control measures in rice crop

摘要

The present study was conducted to know the farmers’ criteria for selecting and using pesticides for controlling the process of insect-pests and disease in rice crop and explaining differences in pesticides selection criteria amongst the farmers. Thesocio-economic status of farmers was studied to find the impact on knowledge of rice cultivation, pest management practices, knowledge of natural enemies and health hazards of pesticides. The majority of farmers used versatile practices like tank-mix application of pesticide, overuse of pesticides, improper spray techniques and preferred to use those pesticides that can kill all kind of pests quickly in rice crop. A large section of the farmers followed the advice of dealer for choosing the pesticide for controlling the insect-pests and diseases of rice. On the basis of factor analysis, the performance and technical criteria of pesticide considered the most preferable components under process of pesticide selection criteria of farmers to adopt the control measures practices in insect-pests and diseases. The findings of the study provided the highly useful information for better understanding of the factors affecting farmers’ selection of pesticides and for improving management strategies by extension formulation for promoting rational use of pesticides and strengthening the decision-making capacity of the farmers regarding judicious use of pesticides.