Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to know the situation and the ways by using community participation for reducing use of chemical pesticide. Samples studied were 110 farmers in Ban Maechorpha Tambol Thungpueng, Chae Hom district, Lampang Province. The data were collected by interviewing with questionnaires and the focus group discussions was used to analyze data. The results showed that paraquat (garmok-zone) was the most widely used herbicides in the research area and estimated that the use of pesticides over 4,637 liters per year. Most of agriculturists had over 10 years of experience in pesticides usage and the ratio were 3.3 liters per rai. The expenses of pesticides were 526 bahts per rai and most of agriculturists purchased them from stores of pesticides in cities while knowledge of pesticide application at medium levels with a positive attitude towards the problem of the use of chemicals on the environment and health. However, agriculturists (84%) were found to have blood level at risk and unsafe while agriculturists had correct performance and self protection in pesticide usage. Community participation in the formulation of strategies to reduce the use of pesticides in the short term was Do not allow to forbid herbicide spraying in the community and the long term was to reduce the area of maize planting and to increase pararubber plantation.