[01] Omeima Bashir Khalid, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan. [02] Hassan Ibrahim Mohammed, Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan. [03] Suad Ibrahim El Obied, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan. [04] Abubaker Awad Siddig, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan. [05] Hiam Rodwan Babikir, Research Follow at Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan.

For vegetable growers many developing countries there a wide spread of use of synthetic pesticides as effective and urgent agent with low time and costs demands to control weeds and insects as compared to labor methods. This is motivated by the increase in yield incurred by use of pesticides to face the demand of increasing population, but very less emphasis was given to the negative impact of using pesticides on environment and health. Hence, this study is directed to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude and practices of vegetable farmers in urban areas of Karari-Omdurman-Sudan regarding the safe use of pesticides, to aid planner to develop practical measures to protect the environment. Findings of 250 interviewed respondent farmers revealed that nearly 60% of the farmers had medium level of knowledge of plant protection practices. The majority of the farmers acknowledged that pesticides were harmful to their health (71%) and the environment (65%). Over 85% of the farmers did not read or follow pesticide label instructions, and 75% did not use any personal protective equipment when handling pesticides. Farmers’ knowledge of pesticide hazards was low, the reported safety measures were poor, and they lack extension services and awareness on safety handling, disposal or storage of pesticides. Education, income, farming experience and social participation were positive and they can be significantly used by planners to develop extension programs to improve farmers’ knowledge and their behavior on safe pesticide use. In contrast age and family size of farmers had showed no relationship with the knowledge level of pest management. Consequently, comprehensive intervention measures to reduce the health and environmental risks of pesticides are needed, including pesticide safety training programs for farmers, stringent enforcement of pesticide laws, and promoting integrated pest management and non-synthetic methods of pest control for managing pest problems (IPM) in crop production.

Pesticide Handling, Knowledge, Attitudes, Risk, Health Hazards, Smallholder Farmers

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