Socio-economic contexts on pesticide use in Nepal

Two socio-economic surveys were conducted in Jhiku Khola Watershed (JKW) area in Kabhrepalanchok district of Nepal for understanding the general socio-economics, farming systems and pesticide use in agriculture. An average household owns 0.60 ha of land. Most of the households depend on agriculture for their livelihood and use pesticides for protecting their crops from various pest attacks. Rice, maize, wheat and mustard are treated 1- 3 times per crop cycle whereas potato, tomato, cabbage, bittergourd and cucumber are treated 2- 15 times. Farmers have low knowledge on pesticides and their uses, as a result, general precautionary measures are also lacking. The enforcement of pesticide regulation is very poor. The share of pesticides in the cost of production of various crops grown ranges from 0 % (wheat) to 8.41 % (bittergourd). This share being moderate and economically justifiable has stimulated the farmers to use pesticides without thinking their negative impact on human health and the environment. Increasing the awareness of farmers and enforcement of pesticide regulations are needed to improve the situation.