Abstract:

Agriculture plays a crucial role in Jamaica’s economy, with some parishes serving as a major hub for crop production. A recent survey of farmers in South Central Jamaica examined pesticide usage practices in ready-to-eat vegetable farming. Twenty-nine farmers participated, most of whom were male, middle-aged, and had secondary-level education with over a decade of farming experience. Findings revealed that all farmers relied on multiple pesticides, with half using insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides together. While most followed label instructions and consistently used protective gear, comprehension of technical terms such as “Maximum Residual Limit” was limited. Farmers showed stronger awareness of pre-harvest intervals, drawing knowledge from labels and training programs. The findings highlight both strengths, such as adherence to safety practices, and gaps in knowledge dissemination. It calls for enhanced education, standardized guidelines, and policy development to safeguard public health while supporting sustainable agriculture in Jamaica. The study concluded that although farmers demonstrated significant experience and a commitment to safety, there are still gaps in knowledge dissemination and training. It further underscores the need for improved educational initiatives and standardized practices to reduce health risks, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and policy development to promote sustainable agriculture and public health in Jamaica.

References:

[1].   University of the West Indies, 2012, Agriculture contribution to GDP and employment in Jamaica. Kingston, Jamaica: UWI Press.

[2].   Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 2007, Agricultural land use statistics. Kingston, Jamaica: STATIN.

[3].   Small, R., 2022, Ready-to-eat vegetable cultivation in Jamaica. Kingston, Jamaica: Agricultural Reports.

[4].   World Data Atlas, 2017, Population and growth statistics for St. Catherine Parish. Retrieved from https://knoema.com

[5].   Rural Agricultural Development Authority, 2022, Farmer registration and extension services report. Kingston, Jamaica: RADA.

[6].   McDonald, J., Brown, T., Clarke, P., 2021, Synthetic pesticide imports and usage in Jamaica. Journal of Environmental Health, 45(3), 112–120.

[7].   World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2016, Pesticides and human health risks. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press.

[8].   Loop Jamaica News, 2022, Pesticide poisoning cases reported by the National Surveillance Unit. Retrieved from https://www.loopjamaica.com

[9].   Sharma, R., Singh, P., Kumar, A., 2019, Global reliance on pesticides in agriculture. International Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 11(2), 56–64.

[10].  Ministry of Health, 2021, National Surveillance Unit report on pesticide poisoning in Jamaica. Kingston, Jamaica: Ministry of Health.

[11].  Ministry of Health and Wellness, 2022, Study on pesticide usage and environmental impacts in Jamaica. Kingston, Jamaica: MOHW.

[12].  Istriningsih, D., Rahman, A., Putri, S., 2022, Farmers’ knowledge and pesticide practices: Implications for food safety. Agricultural Health Journal, 18(4), 201–210.

[13].  Williams, P., Mitchell, S., Branche, R., 2015, Agriculture: Educational strategies to create wealth in the Caribbean. Caribbean Journal of Education, 37(1), 45–60.

[14].  Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, 2022, Vegetable production and pesticide use in the Caribbean. St. Augustine, Trinidad: CARDI.

[15].  Pesticide Action Network, 2021, Hazardous pesticide imports in the Caribbean. Retrieved from https://pan-international.org

[16].  Karim, D., 2017, Illegal pesticide imports and farm use in Jamaica. Jamaica Observer. Retrieved from https://www.jamaicaobserver.com

[17].  Maitland, J., 2011, Illiteracy among Jamaican farmers and its impact on agriculture. Kingston, Jamaica: Jamaica Agricultural Society.

[18].  Ogg, C., Peterson, L., Harris, M., 2019, Safe handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(6), 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1234

[19].  Codex Alimentarius, 2018, Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food. Rome, Italy: FAO/WHO.

[20].  National Pesticide Information Centre, 2018, Pre-harvest intervals and pesticide safety. Oregon State University Extension. Retrieved from https://npic.orst.edu