Survey of Rice Farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India - Farming Practices Posing a Threat to Biodiversity

The survey was conducted in the Southern zone of Andhra Pradesh in 9 Agricultural sub-divisions (blocks), 22 mandals, and 3 districts to study the farmer’s attitudes and knowledge on rice farming practices. Data was collected from 210 farmers from 50 villages by face-to-face interview using an Open Data Tool Kit-based survey developed by CSISA through a preliminary survey and deployed on smartphones. Excessive usage of, agrochemicals, accounting for about 70-75%, a significant threat to insect biodiversity. The use of agrochemicals discriminately is being proposed to protect biodiversity.