Assessment of farmers’ knowledge and practices adopted for the safe use of pesticides in Jammu

India is the largest producer of pesticides in Asia with an annual production of 90,000 tons and currently ranks as the world’s 12th-largest user of pesticides (Sharma et al., 2019). The use of chemical pesticides is thought to be a contributing factor in close to 10,000 deaths per year, approximately three-fourths of which take place in developing nations (Horrigon et al., 2019) India’s population is largely agriculturally based (56.7%), making it susceptible to the pesticides used in agriculture (Gupta, 2004). Humans can come into contact with pesticides that are present in environmental media (soil, water, air, and food) in a number of ways, including by inhaling, ingesting, or by dermal contact. The improper use of pesticides in agricultural fields causes health issues and, occasionally, fatalities (Grace et al., 2006). The purpose of this research is to evaluate public knowledge of pesticide use, practices, and their impact on human health. The study was conducted in the UT Jammu and Kashmir district of Jammu. A sample of 250 farmers was drawn at random from the five operating blocks of KVK Jammu in Jammu district, namely R. S Pura, Nagrota, Akhnoor, Mishriwala and Bishnah. Data was obtained using a structured interview schedule, and frequency and percentage were used as descriptive techniques for analysis. The findings indicated that the vast majority of farmers (81.6%) depend on farming for their livelihood, while traders make up only 3.2 per cent. More than half (58.3%) of respondents had small landholdings with an area of 4 to 8 ha, while only 17.5 per cent had land areas larger than 12 ha. The data showed that most respondents (72.8%) get their information from private sources. (Pesticide retailers and shops), and only about a third (36.4%) of farmers receive recommendations for the effective use of pesticide from the State Agriculture Department and KVK. In the new paradigm, ICT has evolved into a quick and reliable source of information, but only highly educated respondents (16.4%) use this readily available information tool or medium. The study also revealed that farmers disregard the pesticide safety recommendations and engage in unsafe and poor practices. The findings further showed that 40 per cent never store their pesticides in separate room; the majority of participants (54%) do not read the written instructions on pesticide bottles or containers. This is due to the fact that most farmers lack literacy. Adopting safety measures is necessary to prevent the negative effects of pesticides because improper pesticide application can have a negative impact on human health. Most of the region’s older farmers, who are not aware of the risks associated with bio safety, seek advice from their neighbours. Farmers’ awareness of pesticide safety is greatly influenced by factors like their level of education, their ownership of land, the total area of their land, and their exposure to pesticides.