Misuse of Pesticides Among Rice Farmers in Leyte, Philippines

Abstract

The types of chemicals used by rice farmers in Leyte, Philippines, during the wet season were analysed during 1991. Pest targets and timing of sprays were also considered. A total of 300 farmers from 8 municipalities were interviewed. About 88% of farmers sprayed at least once during the season, with 45% spraying 2-3 times. Most farmers (78%) applied their first pesticide sprays in the first 30 days after transplanting. Endosulfan was the most commonly used pesticide at the seedling and tillering stages, while parathion-methyl was the most common at the booting, flowering and milky stages. Using hazard classifications of the World Health Organization, 17% of the chemicals used were in category 1a (extremely hazardous), 20% in category 1b (highly hazardous) and 59% in category II (moderately hazardous). Only 23% of sprays were considered to have been applied at an appropriate time for the intended targets. Of these, 19% used a chemical that could affect the intended pests and prevent yield loss. It is concluded that more than 80% of the sprays applied in Leyte during the wet seasons could be considered to be misuse of pesticides.