Do Bolivian small holder farmers improve and retain knowledge to reduce occupational pesticide poisonings after training on Integrated Pest Management?

Abstract

BackgroundPesticide consumption is increasing in Bolivia as well as pest resistance, pesticide poisonings and pollution of the environment. This survey evaluates the training of small holder farmers on pesticide handling and ecological alternatives to reduce the negative pesticide effects.MethodA baseline survey was performed in 2002 and follow-up surveys in 2004 and 2009. Farmers were selected and trained on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from 2002 to 2004 in Farmer Field Schools (FFS). After exclusions and drop outs, 23 FFS trained farmers could be compared to 47 neighbor farmers for changes in ‘knowledge, attitude and practice’ (KAP) on IPM and symptoms of poisoning when handling pesticides. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 21.0 using χ2-test, Cochran’s Q test and Student’s T-test.ResultsImprovements were seen in both groups but most significant among the FFS farmers. At baseline no difference were seen between the two groups apart from a more frequent use of personal protection among the FFS farmers. After the training was finished significant differences were seen between FFS farmers and neighbor farmers on all KAP variables, a difference reduced to six of the KAP variables in 2009. No difference was seen in self-reported poisonings after pesticide handling. FFS farmers improved their KAP scores markedly during training and there after retained their knowledge, while neighbor farmers improved during the entire period. Ecological farming without the use of pesticides increased most among the FFS farmers.ConclusionThe study showed a sustained improvement among Farmers Field School trained farmers on personal protection and hygiene when handling pesticides, knowledge and use of IPM and ecological alternatives and a reduction in self-reported symptoms after pesticide handling. Similar though less pronounced improvements was seen among neighbor farmers having had less training and information on pesticide handling and alternatives than the FFS trained farmers. Training of farmers on IPM and good agricultural practices has positive effects, but is scarce in Bolivia as in most low-income countries and must be encouraged to support an improved and sustainable food production and to protect the health of farmers and consumers as well as the environment.

Farmers’ Training on Pesticide Use Is Associated with Elevated Safety Behavior

“…The results provide strong empirical support for the hypothesis that knowledge of pesticides and beliefs related to pesticide hazard control are closely associated with safety performance. They generally confirm the conclusions of numerous previous studies [ 13 , 15 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] on the positive association of training with farmers’ attitudes to pesticide use. The novelty of the current study lies in the fact that, using original items (in terms of frequency of use in previous publications), it examines together and relates knowledge, beliefs, safety behavior in pesticide use, suggesting that both knowledge and beliefs are important components in shaping safety behaviors.…”

“…Safety training is defined as ‘instruction in hazard recognition and control measures, learning safe work practices and proper use of personal protective equipment, and acquiring knowledge of emergency procedures and preventive actions’ [ 14 ]. Training of smallholder farmers on IPM and good agricultural practices in farmers’ field schools (FFS) in Bolivia had positive effects (e.g., improvement on the use of PPE and hygiene when handling pesticides, knowledge and use of IPM and ecological alternatives of pest control, and a reduction in self-reported symptoms after pesticide handling), but is scarce in most low-income countries [ 15 ]. However, differences in the perceived importance and competence of farmers on the safety measures revealed considerably different needs of farmers for future training as a result of differences in age along with other background characteristics [ 16 ].…”

Pesticide lock-in in small scale Peruvian agriculture

“…International efforts such as the Rotterdam Convention and the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides strive to ensure that pesticide products are labeled with accurate information on toxicity so that countries and farmers can make informed choices (Angelo, 2013). At the local level in many Latin American countries, government and non-government organizations have run programs to increase preventative practices amongst farmers and to build capacity in alternative strategies such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic pest management (Bazo Robles et al, 2010;Jørs et al, 2014;Carrión Yaguana et al, 2015). However, acute and chronic pesticide poisoning persists .…”

Acute pesticide poisonings epidemiology in El Salvador

“…Entre las principales medidas que se han implementado en otros países se encuentran: mejorar el marco regulatorio que controle el uso de plaguicidas, el tipo de productos que se autoriza, la comercialización y la mejora en la aplicación del marco regulatorio 3 . Otros estudios señalan como parte de las propuestas de solución el entrenamiento de los agricultores en el manejo integral de plagas y buenas prácticas agrícolas 7 .…”

“…Las intoxicaciones agudas representan un problema de salud pública que generan cuadros clínicos complejos: desde síntomas como nauseas, visión borrosa, mareos, daños en la piel, salivación excesiva y calambres, hasta cansancio extremo, por mencionar algunos 7 . Sin embargo, la exposición prolongada o crónica a los plaguicidas también puede generar efectos a la salud de mayor complejidad, como enfermedades de las vías respiratorias 8 , diferentes tipos de cáncer 9 y daños importantes a sistemas vitales como el respiratorio y el nervioso.…”