DefinePK

Research Objective

To diagnose the current status of pesticide use on thyme crops (Thymus vulgaris) in North West Bank, Palestine, and to test the associations between pesticide application practices and demographic variables, extension services, information sources, production, and marketing.

Methodology

A quantitative study was conducted using 111 questionnaires administered through face-to-face interviews with thyme farmers in the North West Bank of Palestine. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, employing means, standard deviations, percentages, Chi-square (χ²), and T-tests. The questionnaire included sections on farmer demographics, pesticide use practices, adherence to instructions, extension services, awareness, and marketing.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A[Develop Questionnaire] --> B[Conduct Face-to-Face Interviews with Farmers];
    B --> C[Collect Data];
    C --> D[Analyze Data using SPSS];
    D --> E[Calculate Means, SD, Percentages];
    D --> F[Perform Chi-square and T-tests];
    E --> G[Identify Findings];
    F --> G;
    G --> H[Draw Conclusions and Recommendations];                    

Discussion

The study highlights alarming trends in current pesticide use practices among thyme farmers in Palestine, indicating a significant gap in knowledge and adherence to safe application guidelines. The overuse of pesticides, inappropriate choices of chemicals, and disregard for safety periods pose risks to crop quality, farmer health, and consumer safety. While farmers are aware of some immediate risks like hand washing, they are less concerned about long-term effects on other organs. The limited impact of extension services and reliance on local experience contribute to these suboptimal practices. The findings suggest a pressing need for targeted interventions to promote responsible pesticide use.

Key Findings

- 69.7% of farmers used insecticides, and 11.8% of the pesticides were not suitable for pest control.
- 73.5% of pesticide applications were not compatible with the safety period.
- There was a 29.2% increase in pesticide concentration from the recommended amount and a 32.4% increase in the number of spraying times.
- Farmer commitment to pesticide use instructions was moderate (mean of 2.8 ± 0.68).
- 51.4% of farmers received extension services, while 47.2% relied on their local experience.
- Extension services influenced the overused dose of pesticides.
- Most farmers did not participate in specialized courses or field days, and no regulatory extension was carried out by institutions.
- The application of different pesticides did not increase the productivity of thyme.

Conclusion

Improper pesticide use in thyme cultivation leads to product contamination, diminished marketability, environmental risks, and adverse effects on human and plant health. Farmers exhibit a moderate commitment to safety instructions, with non-compliance issues identified in pesticide name, quantity, safety period, and application frequency. Enhancing farmer awareness, promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and establishing better dissemination platforms for information on proper pesticide use are crucial recommendations.

Fact Check

- 69.7% of farmers used insecticides. (Confirmed in text)
- 73.5% of pesticide applications were not compatible with the safety period. (Confirmed in text)
- The average age of the farmers was 44.2 years. (Confirmed in text)

Mind Map