Rapeeporn Kachachai. Reduction of agriculture chemical substance use leading to adversed health effects among farmers . Master's Degree(Medical and Health Social Sciences). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2006.
Reduction of agriculture chemical substance use leading to adversed health effects among farmers
Abstract:
The qualitative research was conducted with the objectives to study the awareness of
farmers of agrichemical fertilizers and substances, and the health problems and symptoms
caused by using agrichemicals, as well as studying farmers behavior toward the use of such
chemicals. In addition the study aimed to analyze factors affecting change in their behavior
toward decreasing the use of chemicals, including the problems and obstacles faced by
farmers; A total of 21 farmers in Suphan Buri Province formed the sample, they were divided
into three groups. Each group consisted of seven people. The first group comprised those who
used agrichemicals, the second group comprised those who reduced using agrichemicals, and
the last group comprised those who completely stopped using agrichemicals. In-depth
interview, tape-recording device and observation were employed as the research methodology.
The research data was collected for duration of three months.
Results showed that the farmers were aware of the danger of chemicals to their health
and to consumers, and they were concerned about the ecological and environmental
conditions. They also believed that if lessening the use of chemicals and replaced them with
organic chemistry or bio-substance would lower the cost of production it would be safe to
their health. It was found that symptoms caused by agrichemical use among farmers were
both acute and chronic. The acute symptoms included headache, nausea, vomiting,
drowsiness, and unconsciousness; chronic symptoms were repeated wounds and cancer.
Factors affecting farmers behavioral changes in reducing and ending the use of
chemicals were having a leader who reduced chemical use, being a member of various
agricultural groups, receiving knowledge and having tour studies to many places, and facing
health problems and illness caused by the use of chemical fertilizers and substances. The
most important factors influencing the use of organic substances among farmers were cost of
production, and health problems. However, these factors were not the most crucial factors that
caused the reduction of agrichemical use among these samples. Other supporting factors were
receiving knowledge about a concern for a cost reduction and health-related production,
awareness to the danger of fertilizer and chemical application, and the ability to find materials.
For those who could not reduce the use of chemicals. This was caused by difficulty in making
organic chemistry, and lack of confidence about its quality.
the research results, it showed that most farmers lacked knowledge and understanding
about injuries caused by chemical fertilizers and substances especially vision problems.
Therefore, health education, knowledge about, importance of health and safety production,
safety of ecosystem, and field trips to various places should be provided. In addition, sharing
knowledge and experiences about organic farming among farmers with the advice of academic
officers should be encouraged as should. Besides, sharing knowledge and experiences about
organic farming among farmers by the advice of academic officer should be set. And the
government officer should encourage the farmers who still use chemicals to use organic
substances instead. Lastly, the confidence-building in the quality of organic chemistry should
be supported by all farmers.