In many developing countries of the world, agriculture plays an important role in their economy and a large number of farmers are exposed to various pesticides. Farmers in district Srinagar of Kashmir valley use pesticide to control and get rid of disease vectors for the progress of agricultural production. The farmers guided by commercial motives are using more and more pesticides to care for their crops without realizing that these substances are also environmental toxins. The extensive use of pesticides can result in substantial health and environmental threats. A large number of farmers as well as general public is exposed to pesticides through the food chain which causes many diseases. The aim of our study was to assess consciousness regarding health effects of pesticide use among farmers of district Srinagar of Kashmir valley. The results obtained from a sample of 400 farmers selected at random revealed that majority of the farmers under study were conscious about the adverse health effects of using pesticide. Majority of respondents were not formally educated and the main source of information on health effects of using pesticide were family/elders. The farmers who participated in this study were aware about poisoning symptoms of pesticide use like Skin, Nervous system, Gastro-intestinal system, Respiratory system, Eye and Cardiovascular system. Further, farmers under study were conscious that pesticide use may have immediate as well as long term effects on health. The farmers were of the opinion that pesticide use may cause Cancer (85.5%), Foetal death (72.5%), Birth death (67.5%), Infertility (64.5%), miscarriage (52.5%), Parkinson’s disease (51.5%) and Dizziness (19.5%). It was also revealed from our study that only 32.5% farmers under study were knowing about the pesticide residuals, 67.5% were using proper personal protective equipments during pesticides use, 62.5% were following strictly instructions given on pesticide container and only 16.5% were aware about the pesticide exposure toxicity in family. It was concluded that use of risk assessment tools, encouragement of organic diets, educating farmers from hazards of pesticides can help farmers in tackling the menace of pesticide hazards. Finally, it was suggested that training regarding safe use of pesticides should be given to the farmers in the study area.

Keywords: Farmer; Pesticides; Agriculture; Consciousness; Health; Statistics; Kashmir.