Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Vol 28, Issue 3, 2022; Page No.(1367-1375)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PESTICIDE USAGE IN COTTON

Almaszabeen Badekhan and K. Uma Devi

Abstract

Present days’ use of pesticides has decreased the crop production & post-harvest losses which has contributedremarkably to the food security of the nation, but its adverse effects on human, animals, environment andthe eco-system has been a major issue. The pesticide with the highest Field Environmental Impact Quotient(EIQ) value used by sample farmers was Profenophos i.e., 75.19, and the least Field EIQ value pesticideused by sample farmers was Acetamiprid i.e., 0.19. Average Field use EIQ was calculated for the differenttypes of farmers. It was highest in the case of small farmers i.e., 39.56, followed by large farmers i.e., 38.23.The comparably less Field use EIQ was of medium farmers i.e., 36.83. About Willingness To Pay, 35.83percent of farmers were willing to pay 6-10 percent more price for eco-friendly pesticides than that ofchemical pesticides,whereas 24.16 percent farmers were ready to pay 1-5 percent more price.