Understanding farmers' pesticide use in Jharkhand India

The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) identified that indiscriminate pesticide use
was common amongst vegetable farmers in Jharkhand State, India. Subsequently, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) research and development project was initiated to promote safe vegetable production. This study employed the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to gauge farmers’ attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control towards pesticides in combination with Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools to adapt an extension program promoting IPM in Jharkhand. Farmers had a strong behavioural intention and favourable attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control to apply pesticide in the coming season. The extension program is likely to be more successful if it dispels myths of pesticide function and includes women and marginal farmers in activities. The key learnings from the study are that farmers have a favourable intention towards pesticide use; attitude was the most important factor influencing behavioural intention; and the applicability of the TPB to a development extension context.