Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.24, No.3, 2008

AN ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PROPER USAGE OF PESTICIDES IN SINDH PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN

A. A. Khooharo, R. A. Memon and M. H. Lakho

ABSTRACT This study attempted to estimate farmers’ level of knowledge about proper usage of pesticides and their sources of information. Estimates of the study revealed that non-contact farmers’ level of knowledge was recorded to be significantly low (41%), while contact farmers’ average score was 75%. Low level of knowledge of non-contact farmers established the need for their training to mitigate the health and environmental risks associated with the misuse of pesticides. Non-contact farmers’ channels of knowledge were landlords and pesticide dealers while contact farmers directly received information from representatives of pesticide companies. Role of public sector extension in disseminating proper information about pesticide was limited owing to institutional problems such as poorly motivated staff, inadequate operational funds, and lack of relevant technology. Private sector extension targeted at large and progressive farmers to minimize per unit costs. Non-contact farmers had to rely on pesticide dealers who had limited knowledge and profit maximization motives.

Key words : Farmers, Knowledge, Usage, Pesticides, Information channels

INTRODUCTION bales in 1992-93 which went up to 3.05 bales in Cotton crop plays a vital role in the economy of 1998-99 (Khan, 1998; Shahid, 2003). Although Pakistan by any measure. Pakistan is the fifth largest various methods of crop protection such as biological producer of cotton in the world, the third largest control, cultural control and resistant varieties are exporter of raw cotton, the fourth largest consumer of available, chemical pesticides have remained the cotton, and the largest exporter of cotton yarn. About most dominant means of insect pest and disease 1.3 million farmers, out of a total of 5 million, control in Pakistan since 1980 when a new pesticide cultivate cotton over 3 million hectares and produce policy was announced and import and sale of over 10 million bales of seed cotton. This accounts pesticides were shifted to private sector. All other for about 15 % of the cultivable area of the country, methods have been complementary in their and 10.5 % of the value added in agriculture. distribution. During last two decades, cotton yield per Besides, cotton and cotton products contribute over acre has increased only twice, the pesticide volume 10 % to GDP and about 55 % to the foreign exchange has increased eleven times with its input cost as high earnings of the country (Khan, 2001; Economic as Rs. 13 billions (Tariq, 2002). Survey, 2005). Between 30 and 40% of the cotton ends up as domestic consumption of final products. Health and environmental hazards due to The remaining is exported as raw cotton, yarn, cloth, over/misuse of pesticides and garments. Cotton production supports Pakistan’s High dependence on pesticides for pest control by largest industrial sector comprising some 400 textile untrained farmers has increased health hazards and mills, 7 million spindles, 27,000 looms in the mill polluted the rural environment. Pesticide use poses a sector, over 250,000 looms in the non-mill sector, threat to farmers, children, and women workers in 700 knitwear units, 4,000 garment units with 200,000 fields who are at high risk of being poisoned (UNDP, sewing machines, 650 dyeing and finishing units with 2001). The chronic poisoning due to pesticide can finishing capacity of 1,150 million square meters per cause adverse immune functions, peripheral year, nearly 1,000 ginneries, 300 oil expellers, and neuropathies, and allergic sensitization reactions, 15,000 to 20,000 indigenous small scale oil expellers particularly of skin. The acute poisoning may vary (Telmedpak, 2003). from skin irritation to complex systematic illness resulting in death. Accidental exposure in homes Use of synthetic pesticides as pest control from inappropriate storage of pesticides, poisoning Cotton is susceptible to a number of insect pests and caused due to the use of empty container of pesticides diseases. According to a rough estimate, 15 to 20% of for carrying water are quite common (Yasmin, 2003). the crop is lost almost every year to insect pests alone Chemical-based pest control programs have disturbed and about 10% to diseases. Production loss due to the agro-ecosystem and killed the non-target and insect pests on cotton was estimated at 0.25 million environment friendly organisms such as parasitoids,

Faculty of Agricultural Social Sciences, Sindh Agricultural University, Tandojam – Pakistan

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predators and birds. Besides, as many as 10,000 MATERIALS AND METHODS farmers are poisoned annually by indiscriminate use Research design of pesticides in cotton growing areas of Pakistan Research design used in this study was descriptive (PARC, 1999). Besides, an excessive inappropriate survey. According to Cohen and Manion (1980) and use has induced pest resistance and resurgence. Trochim, (2000), a descriptive survey design is Studies showed that the populations of natural appropriate for obtaining people’s perceptions on enemies in cotton growing areas have declined as social issues and social facts concerning the current much as 90% during the last decade (Hasnain, 1999). status of phenomena and/or for describing the nature of existing conditions in a situation. Thus, a Tahir et al. (2001) conducted a study in Multan and descriptive survey design was selected because the Bahawalpur divisions of Pakistan to assess the level primary purpose of the present study was to assess of poisoning among cotton pickers. The farmers’ level of knowledge about proper usage of cholinesterase (ChE) activity level measured in the pesticides in Sindh province of Pakistan. blood of cotton pickers showed chronic pesticide poisoning. The results of blood analysis showed that Target population, sample and sampling method the post spray season ChE activity in blood sample of Multistage cluster sampling was applied to select only 10% female pickers was found to be in the representative samples of farmers. Cluster sampling normal range of 88-100% whereas this level was has two important advantages over simple random hazardous (00-50%) among 42% of the pickers. sampling and stratified sampling. Firstly, it is economical and secondly it is suitable for selecting a Feenstra et al. (2000) conducted a study on the use of sample when the sampling frame of individual pesticides in 1997 in the irrigated areas of Sindh elements is not available. Cluster Sampling only province of Pakistan. Findings of the study revealed needs a list of elements in the clusters sampled that 19% of farm families had at least one member (Anderson et al., 1993). The target area of present who had a pesticide related health problem. Of these study was limited to three cotton producing districts families, 60% were not aware of health hazards of of Sindh, namely Sanghar, Nawabshah, and pesticides. It was indicated that the problem of Naushoro Feroze. In the first stage, one tehsil from pesticide poisoning was extensive in Sindh, while the each district was randomly selected (Table I). awareness of farmers about pesticide related health problems was low. A representative sample of 150 farmers was proposed from the three districts of Sindh. The sample size is Purpose of the study appropriate at ±8% error rate, 5% level of Considering health and environment hazards due to significance when population is greater than 3000 misuse of pesticides by untrained farmers, this study (Wunsch, 1986). The suggested sample size of 150 was conducted to assess farmers’ level of knowledge was divided into two subpopulations: (i) non-contact and their assistant sources of information of pesticide farmers and (ii) contact farmers (progressive use. Findings of the study will be helpful to develop farmers). A sample size of 90 for non-contact farmers agriculture extension education program for the and 60 for contact farmers was suggested capacity building of farmers to rationalize the disproportional to population sizes; since the application of pesticide on cotton crop with a view to population size of non-contact farmers was quite reduce undue costs and to make environment friendly large and could not be enumerated through available as far as possible. This will also bring huge documentation and resources. economic benefits in the form of quality exports of cotton acceptable to developed countries under the To select a representative sample of non-contact emerging regime of trade liberalization. farmers, three villages were selected from each randomly selected tehsil . Nine villages were selected Objectives of the study from three tehsils. Name of selected villages are The specific objectives of the study were as follows: given in Table I. A sample of 10 cotton growers i. To estimate farmers' level of knowledge about from each village was then randomly selected. Thus, proper usage of pesticides 90 non-contact farmers were selected from three ii. To explore the significant sources of selected tehsils. information.

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A list of contact farmers (progressive farmers) was hypothesis established for comparing perceived collected from Directorate General, Agriculture effectiveness of various sources of information, f- Extension, Sindh, Hyderabad. Table I reveals the values and their corresponding p-values were sampling plan for selection of contact farmers from calculated using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) the study area. The table indicates that there were technique. When f-value was found significant at the 408, 600 and 456 contact farmers in tehsil probability level, say 0.05, Duncan Multiple Range Shahdadpur, Nawabshah, and Bhirya, respectively. Test (DMRT) was applied to rank the means. The sub-samples of sizes of 17, 24 and 19 of contact farmers were suggested proportional to the sub- For the appropriateness of results, assumptions of population sizes of contact farmers in these tehsil s, ANOVA: (1) variances of the errors should be respectively. constant, and (2) errors should be normally and independently distributed, were tested. First Assessment of farmers’ level of knowledge about assumption of ANOVA was tested using Bartlett’s proper usage of pesticides test of equal variance while second assumption was Farmers’ level of knowledge was estimated in the tested constructing probability plot. Using Macanova following three areas pertaining to proper usage of computer package, appropriate transformation was pesticides: explored when the assumptions did not withstand the i. Selection of proper pesticides for the common primary data. insect pests/mites of cotton, ii. Suggestion of proper dose per acre of the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION selected pesticides, and Selection of proper pesticides for cotton insect pests iii. Sharing the basic knowledge about proper usage and their proper dose and safe handling of pesticides. Selection of proper pesticides was one of the major problems using pesticides as pest control. Farmers Farmers’ perceptions about various sources of who did not know the proper pesticides against the information for proper usage of pesticide target insect pests consulted with the pesticide dealers Likert-like scale of 10 points (1 being little for selection of pesticides. Since majority of dealers information, 5 being reasonable quantity of were reportedly interested in profits making rather information and 10 being much information) was than pest control, they selected the pesticides which used to estimate the perceived contribution of various were cheaper. In some situations, it was observed sources of information. that the dealers gave those pesticides to farmers which were reportedly expired. The pesticide dealers Pre-testing of the questionnaire and collection of trapped most of the farmer who had no knowledge data about selection of proper pesticide and no money to Data were collected through personal interviews buy them; they bought pesticides on credit. during 2003-04. Test-retest reliability test was applied to con-contact farmers’ scores, collected from Table II revealed the proportion of correct answers Bhirya tehsil of district Naushoro feroze with a gap regarding selection of proper pesticides. Due to of 3 weeks between first and second data collection, frequent occurrence of Whitefly, Aphids, American in three areas of knowledge, namely: (i) proper boll worm, and Jassids, proportions of correct selection of pesticide for insect pests/ mites, (ii) about answers for the selection of insecticides for the above proper dose of pesticides for insect pests and mites, pests were recorded to be higher as compared to and (iii) basic information about proper usage and sporadic pests like Mites, Army worms and Leaf safe handling of pesticides. Estimated values of Roller. On an average basis, non-contact farmers’ reliability were estimated to be 0.89, 0.82, and 0.94 score was only 35% while the average sore of contact for the above areas of knowledge respectively. farmers was 72%. The estimated average scores for Higher values of the reliability test revealed that the the selection of dose for non-contact farmers and instrument designed to estimate the knowledge about contact farmers were 33% and 69% respectively. proper usage of pesticides was efficient. Basic information about proper usage and safe Analysis of data handling of pesticides Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, 1997) On an average basis, non-contact farmers’ score and Macanova computer packages (Oehlert and about basic information about proper usage and safe Bingham, 2003) were used to analyze the data. handling was 53% and contact farmers’ score was Using descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, 83%. Table III presents proportions of farmers averages and standard errors were calculated. To test

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correctly replied to questions pertaining to basic read or letting the other people read the instruction information about proper usage of pesticides. before using the pesticides. The remaining farmers were of the opinion that the same information was Reuse of pesticides bottles and containers was very written on most of the pesticide bottles/containers, common about 5 to 7 years ago. After some there was no need to read each and every label on the incidents in rural Sindh and wide circulation of pesticide bottle before use. incidents through electronic and print media, farmers Pesticide can enter in human body through all parts; realized that even after thoroughly cleaning, the therefore, it is necessary to wear protective clothing, pesticide bottles were dangerous. Seventy nine and hand gloves, glasses, cap, and shoes. Forty four 93% of the non-contact farmers and contact farmers, percent of non-contact farmers and 80% of contact respectively categorically denied that pesticide farmers were able to suggest proper dressing for bottles/containers could not be used even washed spraying of pesticides. thoroughly. Only option to discard the expired pesticides and empty bottles is to bury them in the Itching and drossiness are common symptoms after fields. About 76% of non-contact farmers and 90% spraying when wind direction is not observed. of contact farmers replied that the only option to Pesticides are applied when wind velocity is between dispose of the expired pesticides was to bury them in 3 to 7 km/hour by observing wind direction (FAO, fields. Although majority of the farmers knew the 2001). For instance, wind is blowing from south to correct method that how to dispose of the expired north, pesticide applicator’s face should be towards pesticides, however, it was observed that small the north while spraying. Besides, the applicator has proportion of farmer actually follow the correct to follow the rows. Farmers come in direct contact of method. Otherwise, the common practice was to pesticides during spraying when wind direction is not throw the pesticides in the open fields. Moreover, observed. Only 44% of non-contact farmers and 87% some farmers underestimated the toxicity of the of contact farmers properly suggested the direction of pesticides and threw leftover pesticides in running spraying. water and mistakenly thought it was safe disposal of leftover pesticides. Usually, pesticide spraying is done with Knapsack hand sprayers of 20 liter tank. About eight tanks are Majority of the non-contact farmers (66%), and required to spray one acre. For instance, pesticide contact farmers (85%) were of the opinion that dose, say 200 ml/acre, is divided into 8 equal parts, smoking and chewing tobacco were dangerous during which becomes 25 ml/tank. Only 44% of non-contact spraying or handling of pesticides. However, it was farmers were able to do these calculations. observed that after spraying majority of the farmers, Remaining (56%) non-contact farmers replied that without washing hands with soap, smoked cigarettes they got help from neighboring farmer about the dose and/or ate meal. They just put water on hands and of pesticides per tank. washed them partially and started eating and/or smoking. Chronic pesticide poisoning could be In order to know whether farmers realize that the suspected from this practice. They were not aware environment is contaminated due to overuse and that their hands were still contaminated and they were misuse of pesticide, a question about environmental swallowing pesticides. contamination was asked. Only 28% of non-contact farmers were aware about environmental Fifty seven percent of non-contact farmers and 73% contamination due to its improper usage and unsafe of contact farmers could suggest some of the steps handling of pesticides. On the other hand a good how to give first aid to pesticide poisoning patients. proportion of contact farmers (78%) of the contact Suicide attempts with pesticide by women in rural farmers were aware of environmental contamination Sindh were not uncommon because of easily from pesticides. availability of pesticides in their homes. Most of the farmers did not have stores at homes and/or at Table IV presents the farmers’ average scores farmhouses to lock them properly. However, as far regarding proper usage of pesticides. On an overall as knowledge was concerned about half (51%) of the basis, average scores of non-contact farmers and non-contact farmers and 83% of contact farmers were contact farmers were estimated to be 41 and 75%, able to suggest how to store the sprayers and unused respectively. The available literature indicated that pesticides. very limited studies were conducted on the estimation of level of knowledge of farmers about proper usage Majority (83%) of contact farmers and 46% of non- of pesticides. NFDC (2002) reported that 65% of the contact farmers responded that it was necessary to farmers had basic information about pesticide usage.

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Feenstra (2000) reported that 60 of the farmers were discussion meetings, signboards, radio and TV were aware of health hazards of pesticides. It was relatively less effective methods in disseminating concluded that the problem of pesticide poisoning information about safe handling and use of pesticide was extensive in Sindh, while the awareness of in Pakistan. farmers about pesticide related health problems was low. The same finding regarding ineffectiveness of mass media was depicted by Madukwe et al. (2002) who Farmers’ perceived sources about various sources reported that radio and television have high potential of information for proper usage of pesticides for contacts, because of their suitability to reach a Table V shows that non-contact Farmers’ highest large number of farmers and to disseminate urgent perceived score was recorded for landlords (5.77), farm programs. However, radio and television were followed by pesticide dealers (4.87), agriculture the least used extension-farmer contact techniques. extension (4.40), neighboring farmers (3.66), In this regard, Mahmood and Sheikh (2005) had representatives of pesticide companies (2.53), argued that agricultural programs on TV were not agricultural programs on radio (2.46), agricultural broadcasted at primetime; therefore, electronic media literature (2.27), and agricultural programs on TV was reported to be ineffective in disseminating (2.11). Scores were recoded to be highly significant agricultural information to farming community. (p < 0.01). Log transformed values were used for analysis since the assumptions did not withstand the CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS proposed model on actual values. Estimates of this study revealed that non-contact farmers had insufficient knowledge about proper Farmers who purchased pesticide themselves relied usage of pesticides in Sindh province of Pakistan. mostly on pesticide dealers; therefore, the second Improper usage of highly toxic pesticides by highest perceived score was recorded for pesticide untrained farmers had increased the health and dealers. Low perceived scores for representatives of environmental problems. Pesticide dealers were the pesticides companies indicated that representatives of significant source of information for non-contact pesticide companies did not provide service to poor farmers. It was, therefore, suggested that agriculture tenants, however, they focused on highly resourced extension education programs about proper usage of landlords to achieve annual sale target. pesticides may be launched for the capacity building of farmers and pesticide dealers. Usage of highly Contact farmers’ highest average score was recorded toxic pesticides may be discouraged. Interpersonal for representatives of the pesticide companies (6.62), and group communication methods may be applied followed by pesticide dealers (6.55), agriculture for extension rather than mass media (TV and radio). literature (5.75), Agriculture extension (4.76), Alternate methods of pest control may be landlords (4.60), neighboring farmers (4.52), encouraged. Agricultural extension activities like agricultural programs on radio (4.50), and TV (3.73) farmers field schools on integrated pest management (Table V). Scores were recoded to be highly (IPM) may be encouraged and fully supported so that significant (p < 0.01). Research findings regarding health and environmental risks associated with the contact farmers’ highly perceived scores for over/misuse of pesticides could be reduced and representatives of pesticide companies and dealers pesticide residue free agricultural products may be were rectified with the research finding of Davidson produced. These suggestions would ultimately be et al. (2001) who reported that the private sector useful to face the challenges of trade liberalization agriculture extension education service was limited to under WTO regime whereby quality assurance is one resourceful landlords only. Private sector extension of the prime factors for exporting agricultural was more concerned with serving the needs of larger, products. resource-rich farmers to the exclusion of other farmers because of its primary interest in generating Specific guidelines and precautions for farmers in profits. using pesticides • Farmers handling with pesticides should Least perceived sources of information were know how to give first aid to pesticide agricultural programs on radio, agricultural literature, poisoning patients. The following steps may and agricultural programs on TV. The same results be taken in case of poisoning: were reported by Muhammad et al. (2002) who stated i. Move the patient away from the source of that fellow farmers were playing an important role in contamination. informing each other about proper selection, usage and handling of pesticides. Farm and home visits,

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ii. Remove contaminated clothing immediately • Farmers should wear protective clothing, and thoroughly wash the body preferably hand gloves, shoes, and goggles while with soap and plenty of water. spraying and/or handling with pesticides. iii. Keep patient warm and quite, preferably in a Just wearing a strip of cloth on face is not sheltered airy place. sufficient because pesticide enters in human iv. If a pesticide is splashed into eyes body through different routes. immediately wash them with plenty of clean • Pesticide should be applied when wind water for at least 10 minutes. velocity is between 3 to 7 km/hour by v. If poison has been taken orally, patients observing wind direction. When wind is should be made to vomit by giving saline blowing from south to north, pesticide solution (2 table spoon of salt in 1 glass of applicator may start spraying from north warm water). portion of land to south. vi. Never administer any thing to unconscious • Pesticide should be avoided during person. Immediately contact the doctor and rainy/cloudy season. show him the label or container of pesticide • Avoid pesticide application early in the used. morning and late evening when crop is wet with dew. • Besides common insect pests, farmers • Farmers should learn the calibration of should acquire knowledge about sporadic pesticides doses- what proportion of insect pests as well as their control pesticide is mixed with water for different: i) measures. doses of pesticides, ii) types of sprayers, and • Safe disposal of expired pesticides and iii) size of tank used. For instance, 200 containers/bottles is only to bury them in ml/acre is recommended dose of a pesticide fields. They should not be reused by the and knapsack hand sprayers with 15 liter farmers in any way or at any cost. tank is used for spray. About 8 tanks of size • Farmers should not smoke, chew, and/or eat 15 liters of water are required for 1 acre. any thing during spray of pesticides. Therefore, pesticide dose of 200 ml is • After spray, farmers should take shower or divided into 8 equal parts, which becomes thoroughly wash exposed body parts with 25 ml/tank. soap. • Sprayers and unused pesticides should be • Farmers should realize that unsafe and kept in a properly locked store so that they injudicious use of pesticides is one of the top may be out of reach children, ranked reasons of environmental unauthorized/untrained persons, and contamination. Therefore, pesticides should domestic animals. be used with extreme care. • Farmers should read or let other people read the information on labels on pesticides bottles/containers before use.

Table I. Sampling plan to select contact farmers and non-contact farmers Districts Selected Non-contact farmers Contact farmers tehsils Selected Village Sample Population Sample in selected tehsil Sanghar Shahdadpur 1. Din Muhammad Khoso 30 408 17 2. Masso Keerio 3. Mua Chhora Nawabshah Nawabshah 1. Sain Bux Brohi 30 600 24 2. Nawab Chandio 3. Qazi Noor Ahmed Ansari Naushoro Feroze Bhirya 1. Jalbani 30 456 19 2. Muhammad Urs Solangi 3. Ghulam Muhammad Lakho Total 9 villages survey from 3 tehsils 90 1464 60

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Table II. Distribution of farmers (%) able to select appropriate pesticides and their dose for insect pests/mites Insect pests of cotton Selection of pesticides Selection of dose Non-contact Contact farmers Non-contact farmers Contact farmers farmers

Whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci) 67 92 55 92 Aphids ( Aphid sp.) 60 88 59 87 American boll worm 57 93 56 86 (Heliothis armigera ) Jassids ( Empoasca devastans ) 47 85 46 84 Spotted boll worm 44 77 42 76 (Earias insulana and E. vittella) Pink boll worm 26 82 25 78 (Pectinophora gossypiella ) Thrips ( Thrips tabaci ) 17 87 16 82 Cotton leaf roller 14 33 13 32 (Sylepota derogate ) Army worm ( Spodoptera litura ) 12 48 12 40 Mites ( Tetranychus sp .) 9 37 10 36 Overall (%age) 35 72 33 69

Table III . Distribution of farmers (%) able to reply correctly regarding proper usage and safe handling of pesticides Basic information about proper usage and safe handling of pesticides Non contact Contact farmers farmers Whether suggest that pesticide containers can be recycled/reused in home 79 93 Whether able to suggest how to dispose of expired pesticides 76 90 Whether know that smoking or chewing tobacco is dangerous during spraying or handling 66 85 of pesticides Whether know how to give first aid to pesticide poisoning patients 57 73 Whether able to suggest how to store the sprayers and unused pesticides 51 83 Whether it is necessary to read or let other people read the information on label on 46 83 pesticide bottles /containers before using pesticides Whether know the recommended protective clothing during pesticide application 44 80 Whether able to suggest the direction of spray when wind is blowing 44 87 Whether able to suggest at what proportion of pesticides (when dose is 200 ml/acre) are 44 78 mixed with water for application for knapsack sprayers of 20 liters. Whether aware of environmental contamination from pesticides 28 78 Overall (%age) 53 83

Table IV . Average scores about proper usage of pesticides Areas of knowledge Non-contact farmers Contact farmers Mean ± SE Mean ± SE Selection of proper pesticides for cotton insect pests 35 ± 7.0 72 ± 7.4 Selection of proper dose per acre to control cotton insect 33 ± 6.2 69 ± 6.9 pests Basic information about proper usage and safe handling of 53 ± 5.0 83 ± 1.9 pesticide Overall Score 41 ± 3.81 75 ± 3.48

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Table V . Farmers’ average perceived scores about different sources of information Sources of information Non-contact Contact Farmers Farmers Scores Ranks Scores Ranks (out of Ordinary DMRT (Out of Ordinary DMRT 10) 10) Representatives of pesticide 2.53 V D 6.62 I A companies Neighboring Farmers 3.66 IV C 4.52 VI CD Agriculture Extension 4.40 III B 4.76 IV BC Agricultural Programs on Radio 2.46 VI D 4.50 VII CD Agricultural Programs on TV 2.11 VIII D 3.73 VIII D Agricultural literature 2.27 VII D 5.75 III AB Landlords 5.77 I A 4.60 V CD Pesticide Dealers 4.87 II B 6.55 II A Inferential Statistics Used F = 36.49 (log transformation) F = 19.34 P= 0.000 P= 0.000 DMRT = Duncan Multiple Range Test

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