Survey of pesticides used in Qat cultivation in Dhale' and Yafe' and their adverse effects

ABSTRACT

A survey and questionnaire consisting of interviews with 100 Qat-farmers who used and applied different kinds of pesticides in Dhale' and Yafe' districts, where Qat is cultivated widely. Seven of the pesticides used in Yemen are either omitted or banned by the World Health Organization. Survey report shows six pesticides used most frequently by Qat farmers in the two districts. The result obtained revealed the selection of pesticides based on the farmers' experience, the irrational use of pesticides, [they used different concentrations of pesticides], the ignorance of Qat-farmers of importance of wearing protective clothes, the properties and adverse effect of pesticides. The irrational use of pesticide causes environmental pollution and endanger the health of the people. 40% of farmers interviewed recognized beneficial organisms in the soil, 10% said that there is no beneficial organism in the soil, 50% of farmers don't know. The goal of this study survey is to know the kinds of pesticides, which used by Qat farmers, and to reveal partly the healthy and environmental problems resulting from the misuse of pesticides by the Qat farmers