Scientific report : Integrated assessment of self-reported pesticide toxicity

Nepal, mainly an agricultural country, used 227,836 metric tons of chemical fertilizers in 2020/2021. Pesticide overuse is a major health concern in Nepal despite the program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Farmers, including those in Banke, still improperly and excessively apply pesticides. The study aims to assess the health effects of this excessive use on farmers and their pesticide management practices.
It was shown that nearly half of the farmers experienced health issues, including headaches (20.93%), muscle and back pain (20.33%), as well as chronic conditions like hypertension (13.33%), neuropathic pain (11.4%), and COPD (10%). Despite being aware of the harmful effects of pesticides, they tend to overlook minor health issues. Farmers are familiar with IPM tools and use personal protective equipment, but disposal practices are often inadequate. This study highlights the importance of increasing awareness and training on safe pesticide handling and disposal, as well as expanding training in organic farming.