Behaviour, Practices and Attitudes of Farmers Regarding the Use of Pesticides at the Agricultural Frontier in the South of the Amazon State

Abstract

Abstract The objective of the research was to study the pesticides used in the agricultural frontier of Amazonas and to evaluate the behavior, practices and attitudes of the farmers in relation to the storage, handling and disposal of packages of pesticides. 89 interviews were carried out between 2020 and 2021 with pesticide applicators residing in five municipalities in southern Amazonas, Brazil. The behavior of farmers regarding the protection of their health and the environment was evaluated. We determined the correlation between health and environmental protection behavior with the variables age, schooling, income, reading labels and technical assistance, using the Spearman Rho test and the Cochran test. 22 types of active principles are used. Most farmers use PPE incompletely (79%) or do not use any form of protection, store pesticides improperly, dispose of packaging incorrectly or do not receive technical assistance. A total of 42% of farmers demonstrated unsafe health care behavior. In terms of environmental protection, 35% of farmers demonstrate behavior that potentially promotes environmental risk. A significant relationship was found between health care behavior, income and label reading. Our results indicate the need for more adequate attention to pesticide users in the region in terms of implementing public policies, in order to raise awareness and educate farmers about the health and environmental problems caused by pesticides and to improve safe pesticide control practices. pests.