Diagnóstico del uso y manejo de plaguicidas en cuatro comunidades del cantón Guamote, provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

The aim of the present research study was to measure the use and management of pesticides in four communities in Matriz parish, Guamote canton: Chanchán Tiocajas, San Miguel de Chacaza, San Antonio de Chacaza and Laime Capulispungo. In order to measure these factors a survey or structured dialogue was used, complement by field observations. The information obtained was systematized and an analysis was carried out usgin the frequency with wich the interviewees percentages. Moreover it was also systematized the information from the direct observations, which helped to analyze and understand the remaining questions fron the structured dialogue. The results of the analysis showed that more than 80% of the farmers of the communities under study use pesticides and 60% a combination of fungicide and insecticide. 98% of the respondents purchase pesticides approved by a technician, 36% go to La Granja and 30% prefer this store because they sell quality products. 80% of farmers have a low level of safety protection and use only two types of protection, which leads to the classis problema of non-compliance with safety measures. Therefore, the development of public policies with strategies on the hazards of pesticides and ways of minimizing their risks is recommended. Farmers need to be incentivized to use protective equipment, and vendors need to be incentivized to distribute high quality protective equipment as part of technological pesticide solutions and they also need to provide clear instructions that pesticides should not be used without this equipment. It is also important to consider social, environmental and economic aspects in this type of research, especially in rural sectors such as indigenous communities.

Key words: pesticide management, pesticides, chemical control.