Assessment of Awareness, Attitude, and Opinion of Indian Farmers on Microplastic Pollution in Agroecosystems.

Abstract

The increasing use of plastics in agriculture is contributing to persistent microplastic or nanoplastic pollution, which contaminates soil and affects agroecosystems. Understanding farmers' knowledge and practices is crucial for mitigating this issue. This study examines the awareness, attitudes, and opinions of Indian farmers regarding microplastic pollution. A survey of 310 crop farmers from 19 regions of India was conducted from September 2023 to March 2024 using a random sampling method to assess their knowledge, practices, attitudes, and opinions. The findings highlight limited awareness about microplastics, with only 33.5% of respondents having prior knowledge, and 66.5% were unaware of microplastic pollution. Random forest analysis identified education as the most significant predictor of farmers' awareness and attitudes toward microplastic pollution, followed by age and gender. Additionally, 74.8% of farmers expressed significant concern about the impact of plastic pollution on agriculture and human health, and 90% of respondents expressed strong interest in learning how to minimize microplastic pollution. The study recommends policies that holistically address plastic pollution in agroecosystems, like integrating plastic waste management into the existing national policies, biodegradable alternatives, stakeholder engagement, market incentives, state-specific training programs, research, and outreach activities. These findings have key implications for enhancing environmental sustainability and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.