Analytical Study of Farmers’ Knowledge and Attitude towards Agrochemicals and their Residual Effects in Jorhat, Assam, India
Sandiponi Tasha *
Department of Extension and Communication, Faculty of Family and Community Sciences, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002, Gujarat, India.
Avani Maniar
Department of Extension and Communication, Faculty of Family and Community Sciences and (I/c), Faculty of Journalism and Communication, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002, Gujarat, India.
Mayuri Bora
Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, Faculty of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The use of agrochemicals in vegetable farming raises concerns about pesticide residues and their potential effects on human health and the environment. However, evidence regarding farmers’ knowledge of agrochemical residues and their attitudes towards agrochemical use in Jorhat district, Assam, remains limited.
Aims: To assess farmers’ knowledge of agrochemicals and their residual effects and to examine their attitude towards the use of agrochemicals in farming in Jorhat district, Assam.
Study Design: A preliminary analytical study based on primary data collected through personal interviews.
Place and Duration of Study: Jorhat district of the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone of Assam, India, during October to December 2025.
Methodology: Sixty farmers actively practising vegetable farming were selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule comprising a 14-item knowledge test and a 14-statement five-point Likert attitude scale. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorised into low, medium and high levels based on the mean and standard deviation. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, ranking and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for analysis.
Results: A majority of the farmers (63.33%) had a medium level of knowledge, followed by 25.00% with a low level and 11.67% with a high level of knowledge; the mean knowledge score was 9.13 out of 14. Farmers were more knowledgeable about the general environmental and health consequences of agrochemical residues than about residue status in specific vegetables and sources of contamination. Only 13.33% had received formal training on agrochemical use. Regarding attitudes, 73.33% exhibited a moderately favourable attitude, 16.67% a less favourable attitude and 10.00% a highly favourable attitude, with a mean score of 47.40 out of 70. Knowledge was significantly related to extension participation (P = .04), while extension contact and farming experience were related at the 10% level (P = .10 and .10, respectively). Attitude was significantly related to educational qualification (P = .002), monthly family income (P = .03), operational land holding (P = .02) and exposure to training (P = .07).
Conclusion: The farmers possessed moderate knowledge and a moderately favourable attitude towards agrochemical use, but important gaps existed in technical knowledge and formal training. Strengthened extension services and training on agrochemical residues, safe use and responsible handling are needed.
Keywords: Agrochemicals, pesticide residues, farmers’ knowledge, farmers’ attitudes, vegetable farming, agrochemical safety, extension participation