Pesticide practices in coastal agricultural farms of Lebanon

ABSTRACT

The agricultural sector in Lebanon relies heavily on agrochemicals for crop protection; thus exposing humans and the environment to the harmful effects of pesticides. This study investigated Lebanese farmers’ pesticide use practices and explored the underlying factors associated with farmers’ choices. Of the 104 surveyed farmers, around 87% were willing to use pesticides that are less toxic to humans and the environment than those currently using, if available. The majority of these farmers (92%) planted their crops in greenhouses. Willingness to use less toxic pesticides was significantly associated with farmers using greenhouses as opposed to open fields, after adjusting for demographic and behavioural characteristics (OR = 7.50; p = 0.010). There was no association between willingness to use less toxic pesticides and perceptions of pesticides’ health effects. Policies banning the import and sale of internationally banned pesticides must be enforced. Farmers must be supported to make informed choices about pesticides and their use.

KEYWORDS:

• Pesticides
• practices
• perception
• agricultural farms
• Lebanon

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the farmers who participated in the study. We also thank Maya Sabbagh for her assistance in data collection.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Data availability

The data are not publicly available due to their containing of information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

Additional information

Funding

Partial funding from the International Development Research Centre, Canada