Farmers' perceptions of agrochemical impacts on the environment, ecology, and human health in North-Western Bangladesh

Abstract

Agrochemicals are crucial to enhancing agricultural output, but pose distinct hazards to the environment, ecology, and human health. This study examines the effects of these hazards using primary data collected from 200 crop farmers in north-western Bangladesh. A perception-based composite index was utilized to estimate the detrimental impacts of agrochemicals, whilst a Tobit regression model was employed to assess the factors affecting farmers' perceptions of the same impacts.

The results show that ecological indicators rank highest in perceived impact, followed by environmental impact, while health indicators rank lowest. The composite results reveal that farmers' perceived impact of agrochemicals on the environment is moderate (mean index value: 8.9), ecological impact is also moderate (mean index value: 9.5), human health impact is low (mean index value: 8.3).

Environmental domain indicators provide comparatively higher average scores, such as ‘increased water contamination’ (index: 1.41, rank 5), ‘decreases soil fertility’ (index: 1.29, rank 7), ‘increase soil alkalinity’ (1.18, rank 8). These results indicate moderate environmental impacts.

Ecological indicators included ‘increases pest tolerance’ (2.24, rank 1), increases pest attack’ (1.99, rank 2), increases crop diseases' (1.97, rank 3). Both the environmental and ecological indicators reflect farmers' perceptions of the impacts of agrochemicals as moderate.

However, health-related impact indicators provide lower index values, such as ‘asthma’ (0.7), ‘skin redness’ (0.67), ‘vomiting’ (0.64), ‘diarrhea’ (0.33), and ‘causes cancer’ (0.29). These results imply that ecological interruptions and environmental degradation are more obvious, and that the direct health impact may not be perceived to be as severe.

The Tobit model confirms that farmers' perceptions of the adverse impacts of using agrochemicals are significantly influenced by their years of education and access to extension services. This emphasizes the importance of formal education and frequent contact with extension services in mitigating potential adverse risks.

Some policy initiatives should include promoting farmers' field schools, and regular extension visits to improve farmers' knowledge on the safe application of agrochemicals. Policy implications should also include redesigning extension and field school programs to emphasize the external impacts of agrochemicals use.