Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate vegetable growers’ manner of use of pesticides, their attitudes towards pesticide-specific issues and opinions about environmental safety measures. For the study, 70 vegetable growers in southern Tehran, Iran were randomly selected and interviewed. Data were also collected through a well structured questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was checked by a panel of University professors. Reliability was measured by Chronbach's alpha and α=0.760 showed the reliability of the questionnaire was acceptable. Data analysis was carried out in two sections, consisting data description and data inferential analysis. Results showed that vegetable growers used only insecticides and fungicides, mostly on leafy vegetables. All reported having felt sickness after using pesticides, although all of them took prevention measures when they applied pesticides. A group of farmers who had attended extension and education courses were statistically different in terms of attitude towards pesticide-specific issues, with 44% expressing a favourable attitude towards pesticide-specific issues. Thirty-four (34%) percent of these vegetable growers discarded containers into the environment. Training of growers is clearly important for the safe and efficient use of pesticides by vegetable growers in Iran.

Key words: Vegetable growers, Tehran, Iran, pesticides, attitude, health effect.