THE BEHAVIOR OF RED ONION FARMERS USING PESTICIDES AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN TANAH MIRING SUB DISTRICT MERAUKE REGENCY
Jean Laurina Masatuneko (a*), Muslim Sala (b), Syatrianty Andi Syaiful (b)
a. Food Crops Cultivation Study Program. Politeknik Pertanian Yasanto, Merauke.
Mandala, Merauke Sub-District, Merauke Regency, Papua
*email: jennyternate33[at]gmail.com
b. Faculty of Agriculture. Hasanuddin University.
Kampus Unhas Tamalanrea. Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan KM. 10. Makassar, South Sulawesi.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Excessive use of pesticides will increase the cost of control, heighten the death of organisms and can reduce environmental quality. This study aimed (1 ) to analyze the behavior of shallot farmers in using pesticides, and its impact on the environment ; (2) to propose the management of the agricultural land in Isonom Mbiasi Village, especially in terms of pesticide uses and the handling of packaging.The research was conducted in Tanah Miring Sub-District, Merauke Regency. The samples were chosen using the qualitative and quantitative methods. The primary data were collected through observation interviews and questionnaires, while the secondary data were obtained from evidences, notes orreports.The research results indicated that the knowledge aspect of the 27 respondents about the use of pesticides was very good (97%) The farmers knowledge would become more effective if their participation to join in the meeting activities done by the Government Institutes about the cultivation of the red onions, the farmers would understand better how to use pesticides and would understand the dangers of using pesticides either to the consumers or to environment. The behavior of the farmers was also good (98%), but the use of registered and not expired pesticides was permitted were incompatible with the regulation because they argued saying that the expired pesticides could still be used as long as the packing was not damaged and that even the expired Pesticides could still increase the production. The farmersaction to protect their bodies by putting on only long-armed shirts and short pants was caused by their lack knowledge that they did not know the true function of the uses of the overall protection clothes.
Keywords: red onion farmers, farmersbehavior, pesticides
Topic: Agriculture system