Arsenic elevated groundwater irrigation: Farmers’ perception on rice and vegetables contamination in a naturally arsenic endemic area

Abstract

Abstract Arsenic (As) elevated groundwater irrigation for rice and vegetable cultivation, and its associated health threat is a significant concern worldwide. Researchers are endeavoring to invent As mitigating strategies to combat this terrible hazard; all their striving have ensued without adequate grassroots information about farmers' perception of the As accumulation scenario in their crops. This study investigates Farmers’ perception and current status of crop and body loading in naturally arsenic endemic regions. Results reveal that one fourth of the farmers giving the positive message regarding the As contamination scenario in rice and vegetables. Although ten of farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics were positively significant, distinctive emphasize should be given to five predictor variables explaining 88 percent variances such as knowledge, direct participation in farming, information sources used, participant education, and organizational participation. Path analysis depicts that direct participation in farming presents the highest positive total effect (0.855) and direct effect (0.503), whereas information sources show the highest positive indirect effect (0.624). The mean As content in all five locations was statistically significant at the 5%, 5%, 0.1%, 1%, and 1% probability levels in scalp hairs, rice, vegetables, soils, and irrigation water, respectively. Ninety-two point five percent of the variation is explained by the first principal component (PC1). Significant variations were primarily explained by As levels in irrigation water, rice grain, and soil. Farmers’ perception is far behind the actual field status of As level and its transfer. Therefore, intensified priorities should be administered on the farmers' characteristics contributing to the variances in perception.