By Christine Grace B. Sidchogan-Fuchigami
These days, knowledge transcends what one ‘knows.’ Instead, we want to look at how people use their knowledge to inform their decisions – from the simplest to complex ones. And while we continually aim to come up with the best decisions based on our judgment at least, unavoidably, there would be times that we falter. This is of course innate to us humans, that we sometimes commit mistakes in our decisions, that’s why the popular adage that says learning is life-long.
In the Development Communication (DevCom) perspective, we tend to interpret these moments of stumbling as manifestation of knowledge gaps. This means that a person made inappropriate decision (which eventually would lead to erroneous action/s) because he/she is not aware of the best information during the time that decisions were made. And so we try our best to provide as many information as we can to facilitate the knowledge-acquisition of our stakeholders. This is with the belief that addressing knowledge gaps will help them come up with the best and informed decisions.
In DevCom work, one of our stakeholders are the farmers sector. To gain more understanding on their knowledge-acquisition behaviors, we conducted a study that is specific on how they behave when it comes to using pesticides in their farms. It is a common knowledge that chemical inputs would consume bulk of their capital, but at the same time these pose risks to the farmers’ health.
As it appears in the results of the study, despite the relatively high price of pesticides, farmers feel positively confident (52.2%) in farming when they use chemicals. Meanwhile, more than half of the farmers are positively confident in using chemical inputs to their farms. When it comes to the state of dissatisfaction and satisfaction towards farming, 39.1% of them feel neutrally satisfied and very satisfied if they use chemical inputs in their farms. Such imply that the state of satisfaction towards farming is dependent on the usage of pesticides. And yet, there are some respondents (4.3%) who are feeling dissatisfied towards farming upon using pesticides.
Further, 54.34% of farmers would immediately ask for pesticides from their co-farmers and/or farm supplies when problems occur in their farms. Alarmingly, 89.13% of farmers would base their decisions on the recommendations of technicians and would follow these; and 82.60% would buy the brands of pesticides that were promoted by pesticide companies’ technicians.
This explains why 82.60% of farmers would use chemical inputs when diseases or pests appear on their crops; and 65.21% of the farmers would buy even the banned and illegally-sold pesticides believing that these the ‘strongest’ hence is limitedly sold.
These are happening because of a very wide knowledge gap as validated by the study where 56.52% rarely carefully-read and understand the label and instructions in pesticides; 84.78% rarely follow the prescribed directions for use indicated in the labels of pesticides because they rely more on their own farm trials (76.08%); and they are employing cocktailing (67.39%) of different pesticides with the belief that the concoction becomes ‘stronger’ if more pesticides are mixed together.
In terms of safe handling, 86.95% rarely familiarize themselves with the hazard symbols (skull for poisonous or highly toxic, and flame for flammable); 86.95% rarely familiarize themselves with the warning symbols (triangle for caution, diamond for warning, octagon for danger); and 60.86% seldomly consider the colour symbols (green label for lightly toxic blue label for moderately toxic, yellow label for very toxic, and red label for extremely toxic).
When spraying pesticides, only 26.08% use gloves; 6.52% use eyewear protection; and 30.43% use mask. However, in terms of storage and disposal of 84.78% store the pesticides away from children’s reach or in locked cabinets (80.43%); and 86.95% teach children that pesticides are poisonous and these should not be touched.
These varying results are facilitated by several factors. One of which, as identified in the study, would be the profit-driven intentions of pesticide companies. Their marketing strategies become influential to the decisions and practices of farmers.
To counter such imbalance when it comes to knowledge about responsible and safe use of chemical inputs, it is suggested in the study that concerned agencies will continue their information drives in farming communities. As for the pesticide companies, there is a need to regulate their marketing strategies to ensure that farmers are getting sufficient, balanced information about responsible and safe use of chemical inputs. Ethical concerns on the marketing strategies of pesticide companies should be regulated by concerned agencies, such as LGUs and the Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority (FPA).
Results of the study reflect how knowledge gaps can facilitate unhealthy, unsafe farming attitudes and practices. While it is known that chemical inputs would be one of the major ‘drivers’ in producing the demands of the country when it comes to highland vegetables, the farmers also need to know that there are ways to protect themselves too. And that they have options as well, such as converting their farms to Organic Agriculture for safer and more responsible farming system.
As they continually toil for their families and the country, it is but proper that their decisions be guided by information and options. Benguet has been supplying the demand for highland vegetables in the country, making the Province a vegetable magnate. As an effect, most farmers resorted to pesticides-use in their farms to catch up with the overwhelming demand. Their contributions to the economy are highly acknowledged. It is also but proper that their knowledge gaps are recognized and responded on. And so we shall continue our information campaigns to hopefully dissipate these knowledge gaps because after all, being knowledgeable is a basic right.
Reference:
SIDCHOGAN, C. AWAS, F., NUVAL, P. (2016). Communication Strategies Employed by Pesticide Companies and their Influences on the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Benguet Farmers. Benguet State University
