Perception of Vegetable Growers on Health Hazards Due to Uses of Pesticide

Vegetables, though highly perishable, are nutritionally valuable crops that contribute significantly to India’s agricultural economy, including in the state of Gujarat. This study was carried out in Banaskantha district, a prominent vegetable-growing area of Gujarat, with a specific focus on potato and tomato cultivation. A total of 150 farmers were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique, comprising 75 potato growers and 75 tomato growers. Three talukas were purposively selected, and from each taluka, five villages were randomly chosen. In each village, ten farmers—five cultivating potatoes and five cultivating tomatoes—were randomly selected for the survey. Primary data were gathered through personal interviews conducted at the respondents’ homes and fields. The study aimed to explore the farming practices, perceptions, and key challenges faced by vegetable growers in the region.