Guidelines for Pesticide Risk Management at the Community Level in Northeast Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the risk of pesticide use and study guidelines for pesticide risk management at the community level in Northeast Thailand. From 2022 to 2023, data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and group discussions. Representatives of a group of farmers who use pesticides were purposively selected 10 per group with a total of 19 villages. Data collected from farmer interviews about pesticide use included substance type, application rates, spraying frequency, and plot size of plantations. This data was used in the EIQ Field Use equation to assess environmental risks. Group discussions included farmer representatives, community leaders, agricultural extension officers, public health officials, and researchers. It was found that the average Field Use EIQ of vegetable plots had a high-risk level, particularly in the case of villages growing chilies, tomatoes, and cabbage. From group discussions on guidelines for reducing the risk from pesticide use in each village, common guidelines identified included the following: 1) personal safety, requiring regulations on the use of appropriate spraying equipment, protective clothing and other personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to pesticides; 2) safety of people in the community, not spraying pesticides in villages or communities, schools, temples, and hospitals, and notifying the village headman with a spraying plan when spraying chemicals in areas close to the community or village; additionally, areas where pesticides are sprayed must have warning signs indicating the date and time; 3) safety for the ecosystem and public areas of the community; refraining from spraying chemicals, and leaving chemical bottles in public areas, water sources, and community forests; 4) food safety, ensured through compliance with the requirements outlined in the GAP standard; and 5) setting up a community committee to coordinate safe use of pesticides by the community’s. These guidelines will be used as policy recommendations for reducing pesticide risk in commercial agricultural communities.