Pesticide Use Behavior and Perceived Environmental Impact: A Study in Karnataka, India

This study investigates pesticide use behavior and its perceived environmental impact among
farmers in northern Karnataka, India, focusing on three key crops: paddy, cabbage, and grape.
Conducted between 2019 and 2022, the research surveyed 240 farmers (80 for each crop) from
the districts of Koppal, Belagavi, and Vijayapura. A structured interview process was used to
collect data on seven dimensions of pesticide use behavior: pest identification, pesticide
selection, concentration and mixing, types of sprayers and spraying methods, personal
protection, environmental-friendly practices, and pesticide waste disposal.
The methodology involved calculating a Pesticide Use Behavior Index for each crop, with
scores based on farmers' responses across these dimensions. The data was analyzed using
frequency, percentage, and categorization into low, medium, and high pesticide use behavior
groups. Results showed that grape farmers exhibited the highest behavior index (50.48%),
followed by paddy (48.52%) and cabbage (43.28%). Farmers demonstrated strong pest
identification skills, with over 60% showing competence in identifying pests in all crops.
However, the use of organic pesticides was minimal (3.88% to 9.88%) across crops, and
adherence to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices was similarly low.
The study also examined farmers' perceptions of the environmental impact of pesticide use.
While 47.50% of paddy farmers perceived a high impact, 37.50% of grape farmers and 35.00%
of cabbage farmers rated the impact as medium. The findings highlight the need for greater
adoption of organic alternatives and awareness of sustainable pesticide practices to mitigate
environmental harm.