Health Risk Vulnerability of Farm Community to Pesticide Application in Upper Jhelum Basin of Kashmir Himalaya, India

Abstract Ever growing population constantly put pressure on natural resources to cope with demands for their survival. This is particularly true with agriculture sector with reference to food and cash crops. Technology is playing its role in enhancing crop production. As such pesticides and chemical fertilizers have become an inseparable part of current agriculture and horticulture system. At the same time adverse impacts of such type of technology is seen on environment, ecosystems and on human and animal life. The present study has been conducted on the farm community of Kashmir Valley to assess pesticide poisoning in them . A Cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 farmers related to various health parameters to access their well-being by using statistical and mathematical techniques. The most frequently reported symptoms associated with pesticides were related to vision ailments (RRs = 3.90 ; X2 = 55.94), followed by nerve disorder system (RRs = 1.84 ; X2 = 17.26), dermal (RRs = 2.08 ; X2 = 17.40), general symptoms (RRs = 1.06 ; X2 = 0.27), gastro-intestinal tract infections (RRs = 1.62 ; X2 = 1.46) and respiratory disorders (RRs = 1.48 ; X2 = 0.82). Chi-square analysis and odds ratios show significant association between the farmer's educational level (X2 = 8.16) and pesticide poisoning. The study revealed that farmers were exposed to highly harmful pesticides, inadequate safety measures followed in handling pesticide application. Hence, the role of educational and training interventions on pesticide handling requires attention at community and panchayat level.