A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES RELATED TO CYROMAZINE USAGE AMONG LAYER FARMERS OF HARYANADeepak Soni, Vijay J. Jadhav, Pallavi Moudgil and KhushbuAbstract Pesticides are widely used to combat diseases and pests that may adversely affect the production of vegetables and animal foodstuffs. Cyromazine (CYR) is used as an insect growth regulator for fly control in cattle manure, field crops, vegetables and fruits. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 52 layer farms to assess the knowledge and practices of farmers regarding CYR usage and to identify the predisposing risk factors. The findings of the present study suggested that 57.69% farmers had knowledge of CYR and are adding it in the feed of layers as larvicidal agent. Data analysis revealed cleanliness practices at the farm (OR: 5.143, 95% CI: 1.403-18.858), number of birds kept at the farm (OR: 17.417, 95% CI: 4.307-75.146) and fly density in the farm (OR: 6.22, 95% CI: 1.836-21.090) as possible risk factors significantly associated with CYR usage in the layer farms. Keeping in view the public health concerns of CYR usage, better managemental practices and monitoring of pesticide usage in layer farms need to be strengthened. |