effects of using chemicals and hormones for cultivation and...

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Effects of Using Chemicals and Hormones for Cultivation and Marketing of

Vegetables and Banana

Final Report CF # 14/07

By

Mohammad Hossain Bhuiyan, Principal InvestigatorMd Sekender Ali, Co-Investigator

Department of Agricultural Extension & Information System Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

andMohammad Mainuddin Molla, Co-Investigator

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute

July 2009

This study was carried out with the support of the

National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme

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This study was financed under the Research Grants Scheme (RGS) of the National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme (NFPCSP). The purpose of the RGS was to assist in improving research and dialogue within civil society so as to inform and enrich the implementation of the National Food Policy. The NFPCSP is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU), Ministry of Food and Disaster Management with the financial support of EU and USAID.

The designation and presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO nor of the NFPCSP, Government of Bangladesh, EU or USAID and reflects the sole opinions and views of the authors who are fully responsible for the contents, findings and recommendations of this report.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The study was conducted to find out the effect of using chemicals and hormones for

cultivation and marketing of vegetables and banana based on farmers', wholesalers and

consumers' perception and chemical analysis in BARI laboratories. Data were

collected from purposively selected 150 vegetable farmers and 150 banana farmers of

Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail districts. Data were also collected from all the

vegetable and banana wholesalers nearer to the selected farmers' villages and

purposively selected 100 consumers of Dhaka city during the period from January to

June 2008.

Findings revealed that farmers of the study areas used mainly urea, TSP, MP, Zn and S

fertilizers for vegetable cultivation. All (100%) the vegetable farmers used urea

compared to 98.7% and 96% of them used TSP and MP fertilizers respectively. Only

16% and 26.7% farmers used Zn and S fertilizers respectively for vegetable

cultivation. Most (80%) of them were high users (used >100% of the recommended

doses) of urea compared to 3.3% and 16.7% low (used <50% of the recommended

doses) and medium users (used >50% to <100% of the recommended doses)

respectively. About two-thirds (64.7%) of the farmers were high users of TSP

compared to 5.3% and 28.7% being low and medium users respectively. Only 1.3% of

the farmers used no TSP fertilizer. Majority (56.7%) of the farmers were high users of

MP compared to 12.7% and 26.7% low and medium users respectively. Only 4.0% of

the farmers used no MP fertilizers. In case of Zn fertilizer, an overwhelming majority

(84%) of the farmers were non users compared to 9.3%, 5.3% and 1.3% low, medium

and high users respectively. About three-fourths (73.3%) of the farmers did not use any

S fertilizers compared to 14.7%, 9.3% and 2.7% being low, medium and high users

respectively. Overall findings revealed that an overwhelming majority (86.7%) of the

farmers used medium to high chemical fertilizers like urea, TSP, MP, Zn and S for

vegetables cultivation.

For banana cultivation, farmers used mainly urea, TSP, MP, Zn, S and boron

fertilizers. All (100%) the banana farmers used urea compared to 99.3% using TSP and

MP fertilizers. Only 33.3%, 26% and 4% farmers used Zn, S and boron fertilizers

respectively for banana cultivation. Almost all (96%) of them were the high users of

urea. Almost all (98%) of the farmers were high users of TSP. Overwhelming

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majorities (91.3%) of the farmers were high users of MP and 8 % were the low to

medium users. In case of Zn fertilizers, two-thirds (66.7%) of the farmers were non

users compared to 2.0%, 0% and 31.3% low, medium and high users respectively.

About three-fourth (74%) of the farmers did not use any S fertilizer and 24% were high

users. Almost all (96%) of the farmers were non users of boron fertilizers and the rest

4% were high users. From the overall findings, it was observed that almost all (97.3%)

the farmers used medium to high chemical fertilizers like urea, TSP, MP, Zn, S and

boron fertilizers for banana cultivation.

For insect control in the vegetable fields, 72% farmers used Carbofuran insecticide,

67% farmers used Cypermethrin, 52% used Dimethoate, 36% used Fenitrothion, and

26% used Lamda cyhalothrin insecticide. Nearly half (47.3%) of the vegetable farmers

were medium users (used at the time of normal attack) of insecticides for insect control

in vegetable fields and 39.3% were high (used over doses) users. For disease control in

vegetable fields, farmers mainly used fungicides. Most (62%) of the farmers used

Dimathomorph with Mancozeb fungicides, 54% used Metalaxyl M with Mancozeb,

47% used Mancozeb and 31% used Carbendazim. Majority (38%) of the vegetable

farmers were the medium users of fungicides for diseases control in vegetable fields

compared to 19.4%, 6.6% and 36% being no, low and high users respectively. Overall,

the findings revealed that an overwhelming majority (89.3%) of the farmers used

medium to high chemical pesticides for vegetable cultivation.

For hopper control in banana, 37% farmers used Carrate, 33% used Sythrin and 22%

used Ostad. To control fly, 36% banana farmers used Sumithion. For controlling

sigatooga of banana, 41% farmers used tilt and 39% farmers used knowin. To protect

banana from rottening and physical spot, 35% farmers used Contaff, 31% used Shinkar

and 21% used Cupravit 50 WP. Almost all (96.7%) the banana farmers were high users

of insecticides. Only 3.3% of them did not use any insecticides in their banana fields.

About two-third (63.4%) of the banana farmers were high users of fungicides for

disease control. One-third (33.3%) of the farmers did not use any fungicides in banana

cultivation. Overall findings revealed that almost all (99.3%) the farmers used medium

to high chemical pesticides for banana cultivation.

Farmers of the study areas did not use any chemicals and hormones for vegetables and

banana harvesting, storing, transporting and marketing. But they used Litosen,

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Okozim, Alga gold, etc. as plant growth regulators (PGR) for vegetable cultivation.

They used Litosen, Crop plus and Genimax as PGR for banana cultivation. More PGR

was used in banana cultivation than vegetable cultivation. Majority (58%) of the

vegetable farmers were low users of PGR compared to 40.6% non users and only 1.4%

medium to high users. About two-fifths (40.7%) of the banana farmers were low users

of PGR and 30.7% were medium users.

One important finding of this study was that vegetable wholesalers did not use any

chemicals/hormones/ripening agents for marketing. However, the banana wholesalers

used ripening agents like Promote, Ripen-15, Tomtom, Ethrel, Ethophen etc. Some of

them used heat for ripening banana and some of them do nothing for ripening. Three-

fourth (74%) of the banana wholesalers used different types of ripening agent for quick

ripening of banana. The wholesalers of Shah Ali market, Mirpur and Karwan bazar of

Dhaka city often drop the banana in the liquid mixture of ripening agents like Carbide

for quick ripening and attractive colour. Besides using ripening agents, they drop the

banana again in the formalin to protect from rotting. More than half (52%) of the

banana wholesalers were the high users of ripening agent compared to 9% and 13% as

low and medium users respectively. Only one-fourth (26%) of the banana wholesalers

were the no users of any ripening agent for quick ripening of banana.

Majority (71.3%) of the vegetable farmers perceived medium to high effect of

chemical inputs in cultivation on human health. On the other hand, about two-third

(66%) of the banana farmers perceived low effect compared to 22% medium to high

effect.

Majority (71% -76%) of the consumers perceived that the effect of excess use of

chemical fertilizers and pesticides in vegetable and banana cultivation increase human

diseases.

Vitamin-C, β-carotene and protein contents of brinjal samples with high doses of

chemical fertilizers were higher than the brinjal samples without using any chemical

fertilizers. Vitamin-C, β-carotene and protein content of brinjal samples collected after

5-days of Ripcord spraying was higher than the samples collected after 3-days of

spraying. Residual levels were higher than 0.36 ppm in the brinjal samples collected

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after 3-days of spaying, and below 0.1 ppm in case of collection after 5-days of

spraying.

Twenty two to 31 percent of the consumers perceived that using PGR in vegetable and

banana cultivation increase human disease and food toxicity, degrade food taste and

food value and decrease crop shelf-life. About two-third of the consumers had no

perception on this aspect.

More than half (55%) of the consumers had no perception on the effect of using

ripening agent for quick ripening and attractive colour of banana. Forty five percent

consumers perceived that use of ripening agent decrease shelf-life of banana. To

overcome this problem some wholesalers used formalin to protect the banana from

rotting after using ripening agent. More or less one-third (32% to 35%) of the

consumers perceived that use of ripening agent might increase human diseases and

food toxicity and might be degraded food taste and food value.

The contents of total sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugars, vitamin-C and total

soluble solids were found to be higher in banana treated with ripening agents than in

the fresh banana. Higher pH values were observed in the non treated banana than the

treated banana.

Based on group discussion of training-cum-workshop with the farmers, it was found

that the total effect score of excess use of chemical fertilizers in vegetable and banana

cultivation, degrade food taste ranked first followed by degrade food value, increase

food toxicity, increase human diseases and create new human diseases.

On the basis of descending order of obtained total effect score of excess use of

chemical pesticides in vegetable and banana cultivation, increase food toxicity ranked

first followed by degrade food taste, degrade food value, create new human diseases

and increase human diseases.

On the basis of descending order of obtained total effect score of using ripening agents

for banana marketing, decrease in banana shelf-life ranked first followed by

degradation in food taste, increase in human diseases, increase in food toxicity and

degradation in food value.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPICS PAGE NO.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

INTRODUCTION 1.1 Relevance to the National Food Policy 1.2 Objectives

METHODOLOGY 2.1 Study Area, population and sample size 2.2 Approach and analytical tools 2.3 Data management and analysis

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 Chemical fertilizers used by the farmers 3.2 Extent of chemical fertilizers used by the farmers 3.3 Chemical Pesticides used by the farmers 3.4 Extent of chemical pesticides used by the farmers 3.5 Hormones used by the farmers and wholesalers 3.6 Extent of hormones used by the farmers and wholesalers 3.7 Effect of using chemical inputs for cultivating vegetables and banana 3.8 Effects of using hormones 3.9 Verification of results through training-cum-workshop

KEY FINDINGS

POLICY IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

AREAS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

CONCLUSIONS

KEY MESSAGES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

REFERENCES

ANNEXES Important Photographs of activities

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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO.

TITLE PAGE NO.

Table 1.Table 2.Table 3.

Table 4.

Table 5.Table 6.Table 7.Table 8.

Table 9.

Table 10.Table 11.

Table 12.

Table 13.Table 14.

Table 15.

Table 16.

Table 17.

Table 18.Table 19.Table 20.Table 21.Table 22.

Table 23.Table 24.Table 25.Table 26.Table 27.

Chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides sales in BangladeshStudy area and sample farmersDistribution of the vegetable farmers on the basis of chemical fertilizers useDistribution of the banana farmers on the basis of chemical fertilizers useMajor chemical insecticides used by the vegetable farmersMajor chemical fungicides used by the vegetable farmersMajor chemical pesticides used by the banana farmersDistribution of the vegetable farmers on the basis of chemical pesticides useDistribution of the banana farmers on the basis of chemical pesticides usePGR used by the farmersPercentage distribution of the Banana wholesalers on the basis of these activitiesPercentage distribution of the banana wholesalers on the basis of ripening agent useDistribution of the vegetable farmers on the basis of PGR useDistribution of the banana wholesalers on the basis of ripening agent useDistribution of the farmers based on their perception on the effects on food adulteration by using chemical inputsEffects of excess use of chemical fertilizers in crop fields as perceived by the consumersEffects of excess use of chemical pesticides in crop fields as perceived by the consumersEffect of high doses fertilizers on quality of brinjalEffect of pesticide on quality of brinjal at different periods Level of residue of ripcord in brinjalEffects of using hormones as PGR as perceived by the consumersEffects of using RA for banana marketing as perceived by the consumersEffect of ripening agent (Promote @ 20ml/l) on quality of bananaDistribution of the participants of training-cum-workshopRank order of effect of excess use of chemical fertilizersRank order of effect of excess use of chemical pesticidesRank order of effect of using ripening agents for banana marketing

91322

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24252627

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2930

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3233

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35

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3738394040

4143454545

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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO.

TITLE PAGE NO.

Figure 1. Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.3Figure 2.4

Vicious cycle of chemical agricultureMap of Bangladesh Showing Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail DistrictsMap of Narsingdi district showing Belabo and Monohordi upazillaMap of Gazipur district showing Shreepur and Kapasia upazillaMap of Tangail district showing Modhupur upazilla

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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ADC = Area Development Center B = BoronBARC = Bangladesh Agricultural Research CouncilBARI = Bangladesh Agricultural Research InstituteBBS = Bangladesh Bureau of StatisticsDAE = Department of Agricultural ExtensionEC = Emulsifiable Concentrateet al. = et all (and other people)etc. = et cetera (and the rest)G = GranularHPLC = High performance liquid chromatographyHRC = Horticulture Research CenterMP = Muriate of PotashMRL = Maximum Residual LevelMS = Mass spectroscopyNaOH = Sodium hydroxideNGO = Non Governmental OrganizationPGR = Plant Growth Regulatorppm = parts per millionRA = Ripening agentsS = Sulfur SFE/SFC = Super Critical Fluid Extraction/ChromatogramTSP = Triple Super Phosphate viz. = videlicet (namely)WP = Wetable PowderZn = Zinc

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INTRODUCTION

1.1 Relevance to the National Food Policy

Farmers of Bangladesh produce food crops, fruits, vegetables, pulses, oil crops and

many other crops for human consumption as well as industrial use. These crops have

natural enemies like insects and diseases. Large quantities of crops are damaged by these

insects and pests every year. Due to continuous crop cultivation the soil loses its

fertility. To save the crop from their enemies and to maintain the soil fertility, scientists

have discovered and applied chemical control measures of insects and diseases like

chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormones, etc. Farmers in Bangladesh raise a

number of crops in a year from a single piece of land. Ultimately, the nutrient status of

the soil decreases every year with resultant crop yield decreases. In addition, insects and

diseases also pose threats to farmers. Farmers therefore use chemical fertilizers to regain

soil fertility and use chemical pesticides to control crop pests.

The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is rapidly increasing year after year. We do

not raise any question if farmers use these chemical inputs judiciously. But we raise

questions when farmers use excess of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

Chemicals and hormones are also being used in harvested crops at the time of marketing.

Most of these chemicals are harmful to human body. By using excess chemical

fertilizers, the chemical composition of harvested crops may change. These agricultural

crops are our main foods. For pest control, farmers use excess chemical pesticides.

Sometimes they harvest vegetables just immediately after spraying chemical pesticides,

which may be very harmful to the body. For marketing banana and vegetables, the

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farmers and wholesalers often use various types of chemicals and hormones

unconsciously. They do not know the proper doses of these chemicals and hormones.

In chemical agriculture, it is necessary to increase the doses of chemical fertilizers and

chemical pesticides year after year for the same amount of production. Recent statistics

show that though the cropping land of Bangladesh is not increasing, the use of

chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides is steadily increasing (Table 1). Food

contamination and food adulteration of Bangladesh has also been increasing.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides contaminate surface water and as a result, affect

fish population, livestock, poultry and human health. To regain the lost status of safe

food, it is high time to start agriculture with judicious use of agricultural inputs without

further delay.

Table 1. Chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides sales in BangladeshYear Chemical Fertilizers Sales

('000' Metric tons)Chemical Pesticides Sales

('000' Metric tons)1989-90 2043 4.8091990-91 2108 7.1821991-92 2287 7.1831992-93 2316 7.4421993-94 2217 7.7001994-95 2640 7.8591995-96 3023 9.5731996-97 3037 11.2251997-98 2732 11.3671998-99 2824 11.6111999-00 3213 14.3402000-01 2991 15.6322001-02 3285 15.9452002-03 3339 17.8322003-04 3364 20.8412004-05 3755 23.369

Source: BBS, 2006

Farmers use chemical inputs in vegetable and banana fields to supply plant nutrients

and control pests. Farmers spray chemical pesticides just immediately before

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harvesting. During marketing both farmers and wholesalers use different types of

chemicals unconsciously for keeping the crops fresh or ripen them quickly. While it is

difficult to ascertain the optimum use of these chemicals, it is certainly valid to

question the excess use of these chemicals. The products grown with chemical

fertilizers and chemical pesticides are understood to lower the quality of the products

and create health hazards. The farmers who use these chemicals are affected first, and

those who eat the poisoned products are affected consequently. Environmentalists and

nutritionists warn that if the farmers and wholesalers increase the use of chemicals and

hormones in farming, harvesting, storing, transporting and marketing injudiciously

food adulteration might also be increased tremendously. In this regard, Murakami

(1991) established a vicious cycle of chemical agriculture and showed that the ultimate

result of using chemical inputs in agricultural crops is food quality degradation (Fig.1).

For the sake of our survival, this cannot be allowed to continue. To regain the lost

status of safe food, it is high time to start agriculture with judicious use of chemical

inputs without further delay.

But very little or limited research work has so far been done to determine the effects of

using agrochemicals and hormones for crop cultivation and marketing. Agro-chemicals

are excessively used for vegetable cultivation and banana production and marketing.

Therefore the researchers felt it was necessary to conduct the research entitled “Effects

of using chemicals and hormones for cultivation and marketing of vegetables and

banana”.

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Pollution of Chemical Soil soil, water, fertilizers degradation air, food Unhealthy plants

Predator Pest elimination out break

Health Chemical Pest Food quality hazard pesticides resistant degradation

Fig. 1. Vicious cycle of chemical agriculture

With the help of the findings of this research, the farmers would be made aware of the

judicious use of agro-chemicals; the consumers would be alerted during purchase of

vegetables and banana; the eco-friendly agricultural extension providers would be

inspired to continue their efforts and the future researchers, academicians and policy

makers will be able to make informed decisions on judicious use of agro-chemicals

and hormones in the production of vegetables and fruits for food security.

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1.2 Objectives

To guide the research activities towards proper direction, the following objectives were

set:

1. To identify the chemical fertilizers used by the farmers for vegetables and banana cultivation,

2. To determine the extent of chemical fertilizers used by the farmers for vegetables and banana cultivation,

3. To identify the chemical pesticides used by the farmers for vegetables and banana cultivation,

4. To determine the extent of chemical pesticides used by the farmers for vegetables and banana cultivation,

5. To identify the hormones used by the farmers and wholesalers for vegetables and banana harvesting, storing, transporting and marketing,

6. To determine the extent of hormones used by the farmers and wholesalers for vegetables and banana harvesting, storing, transporting and marketing,

7. To determine the effect of using chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides for cultivating vegetables and banana,

8. To determine the effect of using chemicals and hormones at the time of harvesting, storing, transporting and marketing of vegetables and banana, and

9. To verify the results by group discussion of farmers and wholesalers through training-cum-workshop.

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METHODOLOGY

2.1 Study Area, population and sample size

Vegetables and bananas are grown in the districts of Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail in

Bangladesh. These three districts were selected purposively as the study area. Belabo

upazilla of Narsingdi, Sreepur upazilla of Gazipur and Madhupur upazilla of Tangail

district were purposively selected for vegetables while Monohordi upazilla of

Narsingdi, Kapasia upazilla of Gazipur and Madhupur upazilla of Tangail districts

were purposively selected for banana. Four maps are presented in figure 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

and 2.4 showing the study districts and upazillas. Five villages were purposively

selected from each of the selected upazillas. Vegetables and banana cultivators of

these selected villages constituted the population farmers of the study. Ten cultivators

were randomly selected from each selected village. Thus a total of 150 vegetable

farmers and 150 banana farmers constituted the sample farmers for the study (Table

2.).

Table 2. Study area and sample farmers

Farmers Type District Upazilla No. of Villages No. of sample farmers

Vegetables

Narsingdi Belabo 5 50Gazipur Sreepur 5 50Tangail Madhupur 5 50Total 15 150

Banana

Narsingdi Monohordi 5 50Gazipur Kapasia 5 50Tangail Maodhupur 5 50Total 15 150

All the available vegetable and banana wholesalers involved in marketing were

selected from nearby markets of the selected farmers’ villages.

One hundred consumers were purposively selected from five areas of Dhaka city,

namely, Shewrapara, Agargoan, Farmgate, Karwanbazar and Zigatola.

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Fig 2.1 Map of Bangladesh Showing Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail Districts

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Fig 2.2 Map of Narsingdi district showing Belabo and Monohordi upazilla

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Fig 2.3 Map of Gazipur district showing Shreepur and Kapasia upazilla

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Fig 2.4 Map of Tangail district showing Modhupur upazilla

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2.2 Approach and analytical tools

Three interview schedules containing direct questions with appropriate scales were

prepared according to the objectives of the study and collected data from three types of

respondents, viz. cultivators, wholesalers and consumers. Each of the three draft

schedules were pre-tested for necessary corrections, additions and adjustments before

going for final data collection. Validity and reliability of some scales were properly

determined. Data were collected by the investigators during the period of January to

June 2008 by face to face interviews with farmers, wholesalers and consumers.

Identification and determination of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and hormones were

done by asking direct questions to the respondents. From the responses of the

respondents the rate of fertilizers and pesticides used by the farmers were determined.

Farmers' perceptions were verified by group discussion during a training-cum-

workshop programme.

Effect of using chemical inputs and hormones in vegetables and banana cultivation and

marketing was ascertained by:

i) the perception of farmers and consumers regarding food adulteration, and

ii) chemical analysis in the toxicology and post-harvest technology laboratory of BARI, Gazipur based on residual effects and changes in chemical composition

Chemical analyses were conducted in the Laboratory of Pesticides and Environmental

Toxicology Section of Entomology Division, Central Laboratory, and Post-harvest

Technology Section of Horticulture Research Centre (HRC) under Bangladesh

Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur.

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Chemical analyses of fresh and treated brinjal and banana were done by using the

apparatus and instruments like: Gas chromatograph, Mass spectrophotometer

(GCMS/MS), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Super critical fluid

extraction/chromatogram(SFE/SFC), Hand refractometer, Hot plate/ Electroplate, Hot

glass distilled water plant, Blender, Polyethylene sealer, PH meter, Analytical balance

(readable 0.0001), Top loading balance, Soxhlet apparatus, Kjeldal apparatus,

Continuous amino acid analyzer, Refrigerator, Deep freeze, Desicator etc. Brinjal was

collected from Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail and banana was collected from

Narsingdi and Gazipur districts.

2.3 Data management and analysis

Data collected from the respondents and laboratory were compiled, tabulated and

analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. Statistical measures such as

number and percentage distribution, range, average, mean difference were used

whenever necessary.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Chemical fertilizers used by the farmers

Farmers were asked to indicate the name of the chemical fertilizers they used for

vegetable and banana cultivation. On the basis of their responses, the following facts

were found:

3.1.1 Vegetable cultivation

Farmers of the study areas used mainly urea, TSP, MP, Zn and S fertilizers for

vegetable cultivation. All (100%) the vegetable farmers used urea compared to 98.7%

and 96% of them used TSP and MP fertilizers respectively. Only 16% and 26.7%

farmers used Zn and S fertilizers respectively for vegetable cultivation.

3.1.2 Banana cultivation

In the case of banana cultivation farmers used mainly urea, TSP, MP, Zn, S and boron

fertilizers. All (100%) the banana farmers used urea compare to 99.3% of them used

TSP and MP fertilizers. Only 33.3%, 26% and 4% farmers used Zn, S and boron

fertilizers respectively for banana cultivation.

3.2 Extent of chemical fertilizers used by the farmers

Farmers were asked to indicate the extent of chemical fertilizers, they used for

vegetable and banana cultivation. Farmers were classified into the following four

categories on the basis of their use of each chemical fertilizer with the help of Fertilizer

Recommendation Guide -2005 as suggested by Bangladesh Agricultural Research

council (BARC):

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Categories Basis of categorizationNon users No use of a particular chemical fertilizerLow users Used below 50% of the recommended doseMedium users Used 50% to below 100% of the recommended doseHigh users Used 100% or above of the recommended dose

On the basis of the above categorization, distribution of the vegetable and banana

farmers is described below:


Table 3 shows that all (100%) the vegetable farmers used urea. Most (80%) of them

were the high users of urea, 16.7% were medium users and only 3.3% were low users.

About two-third (64.7%) of the farmers were the high users of TSP compared to 5.3%

and 28.7% using low and medium amount respectively. Only 1.3% of the farmers used

no TSP fertilizer. Majority (56.7%) of the farmers were high users of MP compared to

12.7% and 26.7% being low and medium users respectively. Only 4.0% of the farmers

used no MP fertilizers. In case of Zn fertilizers, majority (84%) of the farmers were

non users compared to 9.3%, 5.3% and 1.3% low, medium and high users respectively.

About three-fourth (73.3%) of the farmers did not use any S fertilizer compared to

14.7%, 9.3% and 2.7% low, medium and high users respectively.

From the findings, it was revealed that all the vegetable farmers were users of chemical

fertilizers. In case of overall use of chemical fertilizers by the vegetable growers, it

was revealed that a major proportion (70.7%) of the farmers were medium users of

chemical fertilizers compared to 13.3% and 16% who were low and high users

respectively. Therefore, it may be said that an overwhelming majority (86.7%) of the

farmers used medium to high chemical fertilizers like urea, TSP, MP, Zn and S for

vegetable cultivation. Conclusion can be drawn that farmers do not use chemical

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fertilizers proportionately in vegetable cultivation. This might cause soil degradation

and problem in their vegetable fields. Zn and S may be trace elements but some cases

these become major elements. The farmers of the study area were found very

indifferent in using these elements. Both the non-use and excess use of chemical

fertilizers can cause serious problems in vegetable cultivation.

Table 3. Distribution of the vegetable farmers on the basis of chemical fertilizer use

FertilizersNo users Low Users Medium

UsersHigh Users Total

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %Urea 00 0.0 05 3.3 25 16.7 120 80.0 150 100TSP 02 1.3 08 5.3 43 28.7 97 64.7 150 100MP 06 4.0 19 12.7 40 26.7 85 56.7 150 100Zn 126 84.0 14 9.3 8.0 5.3 02 1.3 150 100S 110 73.3 22 14.7 14 9.3 04 2.7 150 100Overall 00 0.0 20 13.3 106 70.7 24.0 16.0 150 100


According to the responses of the farmers, it was revealed that they mainly used urea,

TSP, MP, Zn, S and Boron fertilizers for banana cultivation. Data in Table 4 show that

all (100%) the banana farmers used urea and almost all (96%) were high users of urea.

Only 4% were low and medium users. Ninety eight percent of the farmers were also

high users of TSP. Only 2% were non users to medium users of TSP. An

overwhelming majority (91.3%) of the farmers was high users of MP and 8 % were

low to medium users respectively. Only 0.7% of the farmers used no MP fertilizers. In

case of Zn fertilizers, two-third (66.7%) of the farmers were non users compared to

2.0%, 0% and 31.3% who were low, medium and high users respectively. About three-

fourth (74%) of the farmers did not use any S fertilizers compared to 1.3%, 0.7% and

24% were the low, medium and high users respectively. Almost all (96%) of the

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farmers were non users of boron fertilizers and the rest 4% were high users. None were

low or medium users of boron fertilizers.

From the findings, it was revealed that all the banana farmers were users of chemical

fertilizers. In case of overall fertilizer use by the banana growers it was revealed that an

overwhelming majority (81.3%) of the farmers were medium users of chemical

fertilizers compared to 2.7% and 16% who were low and high users respectively.

Therefore, it may be concluded that almost all (97.3%) of the farmers used medium to

high chemical fertilizers like urea, TSP, MP, Zn, S and boron fertilizers for banana

cultivation. Trace elements like Zn, S and Boron have important functions. In order to

keep the soil healthy and ensure good banana production, farmers must use

recommended doses of fertilizers in their banana fields.

Table 4. Distribution of the banana farmers on the basis of chemical fertilizers use

FertilizersNon users Low Users Medium Users High Users Total

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %Urea 00 0.0 03 2.0 03 2.0 144 96.0 150 100TSP 01 0.7 01 0.7 01 0.7 147 98.0 150 100MP 01 0.7 06 4.0 06 4.0 137 91.3 150 100Zn 100 66.7 03 2.0 00 0.0 47 31.3 150 100S 111 74.0 02 1.3 01 0.7 36 24.0 150 100Boron 144 96.0 00 0.0 00 0.0 06 4.0 150 100Overall 00 0.0 04 2.7 122 81.3 24 16.0 150 100

3.3 Chemical Pesticides used by the farmers

Farmers were asked to indicate the name of the chemical pesticides, they use for

vegetable and banana cultivation. On the basis of their responses, the following facts

were found:

24


For insect control in vegetable fields, 72% farmers used Carbofuran insecticide, 67%

farmers used Cypermethrin, 52% of them Dimethoate, 36% Fenitrothion, and 26%

Lamda cyhalothrin insecticide. Data in Table 5 show the trade name of the insecticides

with their manufacturing company and applying reasons. In case of individual

insecticides, Ripcord 10 EC was used by majority farmers to control shoot and fruit

borer of different vegetables.

Table 5. Major chemical insecticides used by the vegetable farmers

Insecticides Trade Name Company Applied to control % farmer users

Carbofuran Furadan 5GCuraterr 5GFurataf 5G

Padma OilBayer CSAuto Equ.

Cutworm,Shoot and Fruit

Borer72

Cypermethrin Ripcord 10 ECCythrine 10 ECCymbush 10 EC

BASFACI

Syngenta

Shoot and Fruit Borer 67

Dimethoate Dimethion 40 ECTafgor 40 EC

Haymethoate 40 EC

ShetuAuto Equ.Haychem

Hopper,Aphid,

Fruit fly52

Fenitrothion Sumithion 50 ECLithion 50 ECCorfen 50 EC

ShetuAgrocare

Corbel

Fruit fly,Borer,Bug

36

Lamda Cyhalothrin

Karate 2.5 ECFighter 2.5 EC

Message 2.5 EC

Syngenta BDACI

Alfa Agro

Shoot and Fruit Borer,

Cutworm,Hopper

26

For disease control in vegetable fields, farmers mainly used fungicides. Most (62%) of

the farmers used Dimathomorph with Mancozeb fungicide, more than half (54%) of

them used Metalaxyl M with Mancozeb, 47% mancozeb and 31% Carbendazim

fungicide. Data in Table 6 show the trade name of the fungicides with their

25

manufacturing company and applying reasons. Nobody used herbicides for weed

control in vegetable fields.

Table 6. Major chemical fungicides used by the vegetable farmers

Fungicides T. Name Company Applied to control

% farmer users

Dimathomorph + Mancozeb

Acrobat 10 MZ BASF Blight, Spot

62

Metalaxyl M +Mancozeb

Redomil Gold MZ 68 WP

Syngenta Blight 54

Mancozeb Dithane M 45Indofil M 45

Razland 80 WP

Buyer Auto Equ.

ACI

Early and late blight

47

Carbendazim Forastin 50WPKnowin 50WP

Bavistin

ShetuMcDonald

BASF

Seedling root, Wilt,Blight

31

From Table 5 and Table 6 it was revealed that all the farmers use insecticides and

fungicides to control insects and diseases infestation. It was observed in the field that

farmers use insecticides and fungicides of different brand injudiciously. They do not

abide by the doses recommended by the scientists of research institutes. Interestingly

they use the doses what the local input dealers suggest. So, the researchers of the study

were very much afraid of environmental pollution and food adulteration.


For controlling hopper in banana, 37% farmers used Carrate, 33% used Sythrin and

22% used Ostad. To control fly, 36% banana farmers used Sumithion. For controlling

sigatooga of banana, 41% farmers used tilt and 39% farmers used knowin. To protect

banana from rotten and physical spot, 35% farmers used Contaff, 31% used Shinkar

and 21% used Cupravit 50 WP. Table 7 shows the trade name of the pesticides with

26

their manufacturing company and applying reasons. Nobody used herbicides for weed

control for banana cultivation.

Table 7. Major chemical pesticides used by the banana farmers

Group Trade Name Company Applied to control

% Users farmer

Lamda Cyhalothrin

Carate Syngenta Hopper 37

Cypermethrin Sythrin ACI Hopper 33Cypermethrin Ostad United

phosphorous Bangladesh Ltd.

Hopper 22

Fanitrothion Sumithion Sato agro indust.Ltd.

Fly 36

Proopifoonagol Tilt Syngenta Sigatooga 41

Carbendazin Knowin McDonald Bangladesh Ltd

Sigatooga 39

Hexacoonagol Contaff Auto equipment Rotten andPhysical spot

35

Carbendazin Shinkar United Phosphorous

Bangladesh Ltd.

Rotten and physical spot

31

Copper Oxichloride

Cupravit 50 WP Bayer crop Science Rotten and physical spot

21

3.4 Extent of chemical pesticides used by the farmers

Farmers were asked to indicate the extent of chemical pesticides, they used for

vegetable and banana cultivation given the wide variety of pesticides available in the

market for control of the same crop. In most of the cases, it was found that farmers

used these pesticides with suggestions of local input dealers. Again, in Bangladesh,

there is no perfect suggestion from government extension providers for recommended

doses of using pesticides for crop production. On these considerations, farmers of the

27

study area were classified into four categories on the basis of their use of each

chemical pesticide by the following way:

Categories Basis of categorizationNon users No use of chemical insecticides/pesticides Low users Used at the time of severe attack onlyMedium users Used at the time of normal attack High users Regular use of chemical insecticides/pesticides

On the basis of the above categorization, distribution of the vegetable and banana

farmers is described below:

3.4.1 Vegetables cultivation

Data in Table 8 show that a major proportion (47.3%) of the vegetable farmers were

medium users of insecticides for insect control in vegetable fields compared to 10%,

3.3% and 39.3% were the no, low and high users respectively. Again a major

proportion (38%) of the vegetable farmers were the medium users of fungicides for

diseases control in vegetable fields compared to 19.4%, 6.6% and 36% were the no,

low and high users respectively.

Table 8. Distribution of the vegetable farmers on the basis of chemical pesticide use

Pesticides No users Low Users Medium


No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %Insecticides 15 10.0 05 3.3 71 47.3 59 39.3 150 100Fungicides 29 19.4 10 6.6 57 38.0 54 36.0 150 100Overall 14 9.3 02 1.3 69 46.0 65 43.3 150 100

Overall findings revealed that a major portion (46%) of the farmers were medium users

of chemical pesticides compared to 1.3% and 43.3% who were low and high users

28

respectively. Only 14% of the farmers did not use any chemical pesticides in their

vegetable fields. Therefore, it may be concluded that an overwhelming majority

(89.3%) of the farmers used medium to high chemical pesticides for vegetable

cultivation.


Data in Table 9 show that almost all (96.7%) the banana farmers were the high users of

insecticides for insects control. Only 3.3% of them did not use any insecticides in their

banana fields. About two-third (63.4%) of the banana farmers were the high users of

fungicides for diseases control compared to only 2% and 1.3% of them were the low

and medium users of fungicides in banana fields. Rest one-third (33.3%) of the

farmers did not use any fungicides in banana cultivation.

Table 9. Distribution of the banana farmers on the basis of chemical pesticide use

PesticidesNo users Low Users Medium


No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %Insecticides 05 3.3 00 0.0 00 0.0 145 96.7 150 100Fungicides 50 33.3 03 2.0 02 1.3 95 63.4 150 100Overall 01 0.7 00 0.0 56 37.3 93 62.0 150 100

Overall findings revealed that majority proportion (62%) of the farmers were high

users of chemical pesticides in banana cultivation compared to 0.7% and 37.3% were

non and medium users respectively. Therefore, it may be concluded that almost all

(99.3%) the farmers used medium to high chemical pesticides for banana cultivation.

3.5 Hormones used by the farmers and wholesalers

3.5.1 Farmers

Farmers of the study areas did not use any hormones for vegetables and banana

harvesting, storing, transporting and marketing. They used Litosen, Okozim, Alga gold

29

etc. as plant growth regulator (PGR) for vegetable cultivation. They used Litosen, Crop

plus and Genimax as PGR for banana cultivation. Trade names and manufacturing

company names of these PGR are presented in Table 10 with the percentage of farmers

used these PGR.

Table 10. PGR used by the farmersFarmers' types Trade Name Company % Farmers

Vegetables

Litosen Semco 21.7Okozim Syngenta 17.5Alga gold National Agri Care 11.9Others 08.3Total 59.4

BananaLitosen Semco 47.0Crop plus Hakem Bangladesh Ltd. 15.0Genimax Genetica 10.0Total 72.0

3.5.2 Wholesalers

Attempts were made to identify the chemicals/hormones/ripening agents used by the

wholesalers or procedures followed by them for vegetables and banana harvesting,

storing, transporting and marketing. Vegetables wholesalers of Baroicha bazar of

Belabo upazilla under Narsingdi district, Mawna bazar of Shreepur upazilla under

Gazipur district and Madhupur bazar of Madhupur upazilla under Tangail district were

interviewed. According to the responses of the wholesalers, it was found that the

vegetable wholesalers did not use any chemicals/hormones/ripening agent. The

wholesalers purchase vegetables from the local market and send it to Dhaka city.

Banana wholesalers of Chalakchar bazar of Monohordi upazilla under Narsingdi

district, Hatirdia bazar near to Kapasia Upazilla of Gazipur district and Madhupur

bazar of Madhupur upazilla under Tangail district were interviewed. It was found that

30

some banana wholesalers used ripening agents like Promote, Ripen-15, Tomtom,

Ethrel, Ethophen etc. Some of them used heat for ripening banana and some of them

used nothing. They purchase banana from the local market and send it to Dhaka city

without any ripening treatment. The percentage distribution of the banana wholesalers

on the basis of these activities is presented in Table 11.

Table 11. Percentage distribution of the Banana wholesalers on the basis of these activities

Activities % of banana wholesalers1. Use ripening agents 742. Use heat 443. Both of the above two 344. None of the above 16

From the findings, it was found that about three-fourth (74%) of the banana

wholesalers used different types of ripening agent for quick ripening of banana.

Percentage distribution of the banana wholesalers who used ripening agents are

presented in Table 12.

Table 12. Percentage distribution of the banana wholesalers on the basis of ripening agent use

Name of ripening agent Group % of banana wholesalers1. Promote

Ethophen

242. Ripen-15 193. Tomtom 174. Ethrel 095. Ethophen 05Total 74

Attempts were also made to collect data from the wholesalers of Shah Ali market,

Mirpur and Karwan bazaar of Dhaka city. It was known by a very closed discussion

with the wholesalers and banana marketing persons that the wholesalers of these big

markets often drop banana in the liquid mixture of ripening agents for quick ripening

and securing an attractive colour. Sometimes they used carbide for quick banana

31

ripening. Besides using ripening agents, they drop the banana again in the formalin to

protect from rotting.

3.6 Extent of hormones used by the farmers and wholesalers

3.6.1 Farmers

Farmers used plant growth regulators (PGR) for vegetable and banana cultivation with

the suggestion of local input dealers. There is no control of government extension

providers of Bangladesh for using PGR. In most of the cases, manufacturing and

marketing companies mention the doses and applying procedures on the body of the

marketed PGR. Farmers were classified into four groups on the basis of their extent of

PGR use by considering the doses mentioned on the body of marketed PGR as

recommended doses on the following way:

Categories Basis of categorizationNon users Non use of PGRLow users Used below 50% of the recommended doseMedium users Used 50% to below 100% of the recommended doseHigh users Used 100% or above of the recommended dose

Distribution of the farmers is presented in Table 13 on the basis of their extent of PGR

use in vegetables and banana cultivation. It was found that majority (58%) of the

vegetable farmers were the low users of PGR compared to 40.6% no users and only

1.4% medium to high users. About two-fifth (40.7%) of the banana farmers were low

users of PGR compared to 28% and 30.7% were the no and medium users. Only 0.7%

was the high users of PGR. These facts mean that overwhelming majority (98.6%) of

the vegetable farmer and above two-third (68.7%) of the banana farmers were the no or

low users of PGR. Again, it was revealed that use of PGR was larger in banana

32

cultivation than vegetable cultivation. In fact, banana farmers used PGR for quick

maturity and high yield.

Table 13. Distribution of the vegetable farmers on the basis of PGR use

Crops % of FarmersNo users Low Users Medium users High Users Total

Vegetable 40.6 58.0 0.7 0.7 100Banana 28.0 40.7 30.7 0.7 100

3.6.2 Wholesalers

Vegetable wholesalers did not use any hormones or chemicals for marketing. But

banana wholesalers used different kinds of ripening agents for banana marketing.

There is no control of government extension providers of Bangladesh for using

ripening agent for quick ripening of Banana. In most of the cases, manufacturing and

marketing companies mention the doses and applying procedures on the body of the

marketed ripening agent. Banana wholesalers were classified into four groups on the

basis of their extent of ripening agent use by considering the doses mentioned on the

body of marketed ripening agent as recommended doses on the following way:

Categories Basis of categorizationNon users No use Low users Used below 50% of the recommended doseMedium users Used 50% to below 100% of the recommended doseHigh users Used 100% or above of the recommended dose

Distribution of the banana wholesalers is presented in Table 14 on the basis of their

extent of ripening agent use for banana cultivation. It was found that more than half

(52%) of the banana wholesalers were the high users ripening agent compared to 9%

and 13% were the low users and medium users respectively. About one-fourth (26%)

33

of the banana wholesalers were the no users of any ripening agent for quick ripening of

banana.

Table 14. Distribution of the banana wholesalers on the basis of ripening agent use

Categories of banana wholesalers based on extent of ripening agent use

% of banana wholesalers

No users 26Low Users 09Medium users 13High Users 52Total 100

3.7 Effect of using chemical inputs for cultivating vegetables and banana

Effect of using chemical inputs for cultivating vegetables and banana were determined

by computing farmers' and consumers' perception. Effect of using chemical inputs for

cultivating vegetables and banana was also determined by measuring food quality or

chemical composition changes. These effects are described in the following sections:

3.7.1 Farmers' perception

Effect of using chemical inputs for cultivating vegetables and banana was determined

by computing the perception of farmers on food adulteration by using chemical inputs

in cultivation of these crops. Farmers were asked to indicate their perception on food

adulteration by using 5-item chemical inputs for vegetables and banana cultivation.

The 5-item chemical inputs were chemical fertilizers, chemical insecticides, chemical

fungicides, chemical herbicides and hormones. The alternative responses were 'large

adulteration', 'moderate adulteration', 'little adulteration' and 'no adulteration at all.

Weights were assigned for these alternative responses as 3, 2, 1 and 0 respectively.

Finally, score of the perception of a farmer on human food adulteration by using

chemical inputs were determined by adding up all the scores obtained by that farmer

34

on 5-item chemical inputs. Thus, the possible range of the scores of the perception of

the farmers on human food adulteration by using chemical inputs was 0 to 15, where '0'

indicated no adulteration and '15' indicated highest adulteration. For a clear

understanding, the 5-item chemical inputs with the four alternative responses are

presented below:

Items Alternative responses with assigned scoresLarge

adulteration(3)

Moderate adulteration

(2)

Little adulteration

(1)

Not at all adulteration

(0)Chemical fertilizersChemical insecticides Chemical fungicidesChemical herbicides Hormones

The mean score of vegetable farmers and banana farmers were 7.22 and 4.23

respectively. Each of vegetable and banana farmers were classified into four categories

by using following scores:

Categories Basis of categorization (score)Perceived no effect on food adulteration 0Perceived low effect on food adulteration 1 - 5Perceived medium effect on food adulteration 6 - 10Perceived high effect on food adulteration 11 - 15

Percentage distribution of the farmers on the basis of this categorization is presented in

Table 15.

Table 15. Distribution of the farmers based on their perception on the effects on food adulteration by using chemical inputs

Categories % of farmers Vegetable farmers Banana farmers

No effect on food adulteration (0) 6.0 12Low effect on food adulteration (1-5) 22.7 66Medium effect on food adulteration (6-10) 53.3 21.3High effect on food adulteration (11-15) 18.0 0.7Total 100 100

35

Findings revealed that majority (71.3%) of the vegetable farmers perceived medium to

high effect compared to 22.7% low and only 6% no effect on human food adulteration

by using chemical inputs in cultivation. On the other hand about two-third (66%) of the

banana farmers perceived low effect compared to 22% medium to high effect and only

12% no effect on human food adulteration by using chemical inputs in cultivation.

3.7.2 Consumers' perception

Effect of using chemical inputs for cultivating vegetables and banana were determined

by computing consumers' perception on five aspects like human disease, food toxicity,

food taste, food value and crop shelf-life.

Effects of using chemical fertilizers: Most (71%) of the consumers perceived that

effect of excess using chemical fertilizers in vegetable cultivation increase human

diseases followed by increase food toxicity (56%), degrade food taste (51%), degrade

food value (29%) and decrease crop shelf-life (23%). Twenty nine percent of the

consumers had no perception on these aspects. More or less similar findings were

found in case of using excess chemical fertilizers in banana cultivation (Table 16.).

Table 16. Effects of excess use of chemical fertilizers in crop fields as perceived by the consumers

Effects as perceived by the consumers

% consumerVegetable Banana

1. Increase human diseases 71 712. Increase food toxicity 56 613. Degrade food taste 51 494. Degrade food value 29 38

5. Decrease shelf-life 23 416. No perception 29 29

36

Effects of using chemical pesticides: More than three-fourth (76%) of the consumers

perceived that effect of excess using chemical pesticides in vegetable cultivation

increase human diseases followed by increase food toxicity (65%), degrade food taste

(59%), decrease crop shelf-life (23%) and degrade food value (32%). About one-fourth

(24%) of the consumers had no perception on these aspects. Again more than three-

fourth (76%) of the consumers perceived that effect of excess using chemical

pesticides in banana cultivation increase human diseases followed by increase food

toxicity (69%), degrade food taste (65%), decrease crop shelf-life (49%) and degrade

food value (39%). About one-fourth (24%) of the consumers had no perception on

these aspects (Table 17.).

Table 17. Effects of excess use of chemical pesticides in crop fields as perceived by the consumers



1. Increase human diseases 76 762. Increase food toxicity 65 693. Degrade food taste 59 654. Degrade food value 32 39

5. Decrease shelf-life 33 496. No perception 24 24

Conclusion can be drawn that consumers are very much alert for the consequences of

consuming pesticides sprayed vegetables and banana. But problem is that people must

eat these to live. Therefore, in this circumstances government must come forward to

quick diffuse of organic agriculture along with judicious use of pesticides.

3.7.3 Effect of using chemical inputs in cultivating vegetables and banana on food quality

Chemical analyses of nutritional components of vegetable sample were done after

different mode of use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Only brinjal as vegetable

37

and Ripcord of Sypermethrin group as pesticides was considered for chemical analyses

due to time and fund constraint. The brinjal samples were analyzed for its vitamin-C,

β-Carotene and protein.

Effect of using high doses of fertilizers on quality of brinjal

Mean of vitamin-C, ß-carotene and protein content of brinjal samples collected from

Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail with high doses of chemical fertilizers were higher

than the brinjal samples collected from those districts without using any chemical

fertilizers. It was due to that Vitamin-C, ß-carotene and protein content of brinjal

might increase with the use of higher doses of chemical fertilizers (Table 18).

Table 18. Effect of high doses fertilizers on quality of brinjal

Tre

atm

ents

Vitamin-C (mg/100g) ß-carotene (%) Protein (%)

Sam

ple-

1

Sam

ple-

2

Sam

ple-

3

Mea

n

Sam

ple-

1

Sam

ple-

2

Sam

ple-

3

Mea

n

Sam

ple-

1

Sam

ple-

2

Sam

ple-

3

Mea

n

BoN 5.70 5.74 5.736.69

1.43 1.41 1.451.46

0.98 0.97 0.931.03BoG 6.23 6.26 6.21 1.44 1.48 1.43 1.0 1.03 1.06

BoT 8.10 8.13 8.11 1.51 1.49 1.46 1.10 1.08 1.12BhN 7.26 7.15 7.10

7.112.41 2.35 2.38

2.372.40 2.43 2.41

2.38BhG 7.00 7.04 7.08 2.36 2.39 2.31 2.34 2.41 2.38BhT 7.12 7.10 7.14 2.38 2.39 2.35 2.36 2.31 2.34

B0N= Brinjal sample collected from Narsingdi without using any chemical fertilizers B0G= Brinjal sample collected from Gazipur without using any chemical fertilizers B0T= Fresh brinjal collected from Tangail without using any chemical fertilizers BhN= Brinjal sample collected from Narsingdi with using high doses of chemical fertilizers BhG= Brinjal sample collected from Gazipur with using high doses of chemical fertilizers BhT= Brinjal sample collected from Tangail with using high doses of chemical fertilizers

Effect of using pesticides on quality of brinjal

Ripcord (Cypermethrine group of insecticide) was sprayed on the brinjal fields of the

selected farmers of Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail districts. Brinjals were harvested

after 3-days and 5-days of spraying. Mean of vitamin-C, β -Carotene and protein

38

content of brinjal samples collected after 5-days of ripcord spraying was higher than

the samples collected after 3-days of spraying. Harvesting after more days of pesticides

spraying might reduce the residual effects of pesticides and that might increased the

vitamin-C, β -Carotene and protein content of brinjal (Table 19).

Table 19. Effect of pesticide on quality of brinjal at different periods

Tre

atm

ents

Vitamin-C (mg/100g) ß-carotene (%) Protein (%)

Sam

ple-

1

Sam

ple-

2

Sam

ple-

3

Mea

n

Sam

ple-

1

Sam

ple-

2

Sam

ple-

3

Mea

n

Sam

ple-

1

Sam

ple-

2

Sam

ple-

3

Mea

n

B3N 6.73 6.85 6.807.07

1.38 1.41 1.451.53

2.19 2.23 2.312.25B3G 7.92 7.86 7.81 1.65 1.61 1.69 2.36 2.34 2.38

B3T 6.46 6.56 6.67 1.56 1.53 1.51 2.11 2.13 2.16B5N 7.66 7.85 7.78

7.322.21 2.28 2.18

2.292.44 2.51 2.48

2.37B5G 7.39 7.42 7.48 2.07 2.11 2.01 2.13 2.18 2.10B5T 6.86 6.67 6.79 2.63 2.56 2.58 2.46 2.53 2.48

B3N= Brinjal collected from Narsingdi after 3 days of spraying B3G= Brinjal collected from Gazipur after 3 days of spraying B3T= Brinjal collected from Tangail after 3 days of spraying B5N= Brinjal collected from Gazipur after 5 days of spraying B5G= Brinjal collected from Gazipur after 5 days of spraying B5T= Brinjal collected from Tangail after 5 days of spraying

Attempts have been made to find out the residual effect of using insecticides by the

same samples. After analysis in the toxicology laboratory of BARI, it was found that

the residual levels were higher than 0.36 ppm in the brinjal samples collected after 3-

days of spaying, and below 0.1 ppm in case of collected after 5-days of spraying

(Table 20). The recommended Maximum Resedual Level (MRL) of cypermethrine

group of insecticide in brinjal is 0.2 ppm. Therefore, it is noted that brinjal is not

edible if harvested before 5 days after spraying.

39

Table 20. Level of residue of ripcord in brinjal

Treatments Tested Insecticides Detected Insecticides Level of Residue (ppm)B3G Cypermethrin Cypermethrin 0.403

B3N Do Do 0.672

B3T Do Do 0.366

B5G Do Do 0.008

B5N Do Do 0.044

B5T Do Do 0.012

MRL = 0.20 ppm

3.8 Effects of using hormones

Overwhelming majority (98.6%) of the vegetable farmer and two-third (68.7%) of the

banana farmers were the no or low users of PGR. No chemicals or hormones were used

by the farmers or wholesalers for harvesting, storing and transporting of vegetables.

Ripening agents (RA) were used by the banana wholesalers for marketing. Effects of

these PGR and RA are discussed below based on the perception of consumers. Effect

of using ripening agent was also determined by chemical analysis. These facts are

discussed in the following sub-sections.

3.8.1 Effects of using PGR as perceived by the consumers

Plant growth regulators (PGR) are used in vegetable and banana cultivation for quick

growth. Twenty two to 31 percent of the consumers perceived that using PGR in

vagetables and banana cultivation increase human disease and food toxicity, degrade

food taste and food value and decrease crop shelf-life. About two-third of the

consumers had no perception on this aspect. No expert opinion was found that

determined the effect of using PGR in vegetable and banana cultivation. The

percentages of consumers possessing these perceptions are shown in Table 21.

40

Table 21. Effects of using hormones as PGR as perceived by the consumers



Increase human diseases 31 30Increase food toxicity 26 30Degrade food taste 25 29Degrade food value 24 27Decrease shelf-life 22 22No perception 66 66

3.8.2 Effect of using RA for banana marketing as perceived by the consumers



consumers perceived that use of ripening agent decrease shelf-life of banana. to

overcome this reason some wholesalers used formalin to protect the banana form

rottening after using ripening agent. More or less one-third (32% to 35%) of the

consumers perceived that use of ripening agent might be increased human diseases and

food toxicity and might be degraded food taste and food value (Table 22.).

Table 22. Effects of using RA for banana marketing as perceived by the consumers

Effects as perceived by the consumers % consumersMay increase human diseases 35May increase food toxicity 32Degrade food taste 32Degrade food value 32Decrease shelf-life 45No perception 55

3.8.3 Effect of using RA for banana marketing as determined by chemical analysis

Promote @ 20ml/l was used to measure effect of ripening agent on quality of banana.

Total sugar (%), reducing sugar (%), non-reducing sugar (%), vitamin-C (mg/100g),

total soluble solid (%), acidity and PH of fresh and treated banana were determined.

Total sugar and reducing sugar content were determined by Lane and Eynon Method,

41

acidity by treating against standard NaOH solution and ascorbic acid by 2, 6-

Dichlorophenol-Indophenol Visual Titration Method according to Ranganna (1991).

The results are discussed below:

Total sugar (%)

Data in Table 23 reveal that the higher total sugar was found in banana treated with

ripening agent (12.43%) than the fresh banana (7.06%). Golder (2000) also found

similar result. This might be due to hydrolysis of starch and accumulation of sugars

(Patil and Magar, 1976). Bauna (1976) stated that the increase in total sugar is

attributed to the conversion of starch to sugar that happened during ripening. However,

there was an appreciable increase in the content of total sugars in treated fruits

compared to untreated fruits.

Reducing sugar (%)

The reducing sugar was the higher in banana treated with ripening agents (6.58%) than

the fresh banana (5.0%). This might be due to conversion of starch to reducing sugar

through the process of glucogenesis (Islam, 1998). Pandey (2006) and Melkamu et al.

(2008) found similar result in their studies.

Table 23. Effect of ripening agent (Promote @ 20ml/l) on quality of banana

Treatments Total sugar(%)

Reducing sugar (%)

Non-reducing

sugar (%)

Vitamin-C(mg/100g)

Total soluble solid (%)

Acidity (%)

PH

B0 7.06 5.0 2.06 18 21 0.53 5.98BR 12.43 6.58 5.85 27 30 0.24 4.96

Bo= Fresh banana, BR = Banana treated with ripening agent

42

Non-reducing sugars (%)

A higher value of non-reducing sugars was found in the banana treated with ripening

agent (5.85%) than the untreated banana (2.06%). This might be due to conversion of

some reducing sugar to non- reducing sugar (Ewaidah; 1972). Pandey (2006) and

Milkamu et al. (2008) found similar result in their studies.

Vitamin-C (mg/100g)

A higher vitamin-C was found in treated banana (27 mg/100gm) than the untreated

banana (18mg/100gm). It was due to the fact that quick ripening occurred in treated

banana that untreated banana.

Total Soluble Solids (%)

The higher total soluble solids were found in treated banana (30%) than the untreated

banana (21%).

Acidity (%)

Higher acidity was observed in non- treated banana (0.53%) than treated banana

(0.24%). It was interesting to note that the acidity percent in treated banana fruits was

lower compared to non-treated banana. Waskar and Roy (1992) stated that the acid

content in banana fruits during ripening depends upon the proton transfer process as

the fruits ripen. Therefore, the lower acidity in treated fruits might be attributed to an

excess transfer of proton during ripening.

PH

The higher PH values were observed in the non treated banana (5.98) than the treated

banana (4.96). The lower pH value in treated fruits might be attributed to the

43

obstruction in the utilization of organic acids as respiratory substrates (Islam, 1998).

These results are also similar to the findings of Golder (2000).

3.9 Verification of results through training-cum-workshop

A four-day training-cum-workshop was organized on "Judicious Use of Chemicals and

Hormones in Vegetables and Banana Cultivation and Marketing" at Proshika Sreepur

Area Development Center (ADC) located at Mawna of Sreepur upazilla under Gazipur

district during the period from 22 - 25 August, 2008. Participants of this training-cum-

workshop were the vegetable and banana farmers and wholesalers of three districts,

namely Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail. Thirty participants were selected for this

programme by taking 24 progressive farmers and six wholesalers as shown in Table

24.

Table 24. Distribution of the participants of training-cum-workshopDistricts Upazilla Number of farmers and wholesalers Total

Vegetable farmers

Vegetable wholesalers

Banana farmers

Banana wholesalers

Narsingdi Belabo 4 1 - - 5Monohordi - - 4 1 5

Gazipur Shreepur 4 1 - - 5Kapasia - - 4 1 5

Tangail Modhupur 4 1 - - 5Modhupur - - 4 1 5

Total 12 3 12 3 30

Environmental, social, psychological, technical, economical and human food related

effect of excess use of chemical inputs and hormones in vegetable and banana

cultivation were discussed in the training-cum-workshop. But food contamination and

food adulteration due to excess use of chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides and

hormones in vegetable and banana cultivation were the main focus of the programme.

Effects of non-judicious use of these chemical input and hormones in vegetable and

44

banana cultivation and marketing on human health and food were determined by group

discussions of the participants. Thirty participants were grouped into 6 groups by

taking 5 in each group. Several discussions were made on different topics one by one.

The following three topics were related to the present study:

Effect of excess use of chemical fertilizers in vegetable and banana cultivation Effect of excess use of chemical pesticides in vegetable and banana cultivation Effect of using ripening agents for banana marketing

For each discussion, participants of each group were asked to identify main five

effects. Again they were asked to mark the effect out of 10 score on the basis

importance of effect. Then all the effects, perceived by all the groups were

accumulated on a separate sheet. Some effect items were common to all group and

some were different. In the next step, the scores of each effect item marked by all the

groups were added together. Thus, total possible score of each effect item of each topic

could range from 0 to 60, where '0' indicated no effect and '60' indicated highest effect.

On the basis of the descending order of total effect score, five important effect items

were selected for each topic and rank order was also made. These findings are

presented in the following sub sections:

3.9.1 Effect of excess use of chemical fertilizers in vegetable and banana cultivation


chemical fertilizers in vegetable and banana cultivation, 'degrade food taste' ranked

first followed by 'degrade food value', 'increase food toxicity', 'increase human

diseases' and 'create new human diseases' (Table 25).

45

Table 25. Rank order of effect of excess use of chemical fertilizersEffect items Obtained

total scoreRank order

1. Degrade food taste 51 12. Degrade food value 48 23. Increase food toxicity 46 34. Increase human diseases 39 45. Create new human diseases 32 5

3.9.2 Effect of excess use of chemical pesticides in vegetable and banana cultivation




and increase human diseases (Table 26).

Table 26. Rank order of effect of excess use of chemical pesticides Effect items Obtained


1. Increase food toxicity 53 12. Degrade food taste 49 23. Degrade food value 45 34. Create new human diseases 40 45. Increase human diseases 33 5

3.9.3 Effect of using ripening agents for banana marketing


for banana marketing, decrease banana shelf-life ranked first followed by degrade food

taste, increase human diseases, increase food toxicity and degrade food value (Table

27).

Table 27. Rank order of effect of using ripening agents for banana marketingEffect items Obtained


1. Decrease banana shelf-life 48 12. Degrade food taste 42 23. Increase human diseases 38 34. Increase food toxicity 36 45. Degrade food value 30 5

46

KEY FINDINGS

Chemical fertilizers used by the farmers

Vegetable cultivation: Farmers used mainly urea, TSP, MP, Zn and S fertilizers for

vegetable cultivation. All (100%) the vegetable growers used urea compared to 98.7%

and 96% of them used TSP and MP fertilizers respectively. Only 16% and 26.7%

farmers used Zn and S fertilizers respectively for vegetable cultivation.

Although all (100%) the vegetable farmers used urea but the doses they used were not

same. Most (80%) of them were the high users of urea compared to 3.3% and 16.7 low

and medium users respectively. About two-thirds (64.7%) of the farmers were high

users of TSP compared to 5.3% and 28.7% were the low and medium users

respectively. Only 1.3% of the farmers used no TSP fertilizers. Majority proportion

(56.7%) of the farmers was the high users of MP compared to 12.7% and 26.7% low

and medium users respectively. Only 4.0% of the farmers used no MP fertilizers. In

case of Zn fertilizer, an overwhelming majority (84%) of the farmers were non users

compared to 9.3%, 5.3% and 1.3% were low, medium and high users respectively.

About three-fourths (73.3%) of the farmers did not use any S fertilizer compared to

14.7%, 9.3% and 2.7% low, medium and high users respectively. In case of overall

findings, it was observed that an overwhelming majority (86.7%) of the farmers used

medium to high chemical fertilizers like urea, TSP, MP, Zn and S for vegetable

cultivation.

Banana cultivation: Farmers used mainly urea, TSP, MP, Zn, S and boron fertilizers

for banana cultivation. All (100%) the banana farmers used urea compared to 99.3% of

47

them used TSP and MP fertilizers. Only 33.3%, 26% and 4% farmers used Zn, S and

boron fertilizers respectively for banana cultivation.

Almost all (96%) of the farmers were high users of urea. Only 4% were the low and

medium users. Almost all (98%) of the farmers were the high users of TSP. Only 2%

were the no to medium users of TSP. An overwhelming majority (91.3%) of the

farmers were the high users of MP and 8 % were the low to medium users respectively.

Only 0.7% of the farmers used no MP fertilizer. In case of Zn fertilizer, two-third

(66.7%) of the farmers were no users compared to 2.0%, 0% and 31.3% were the low,

medium and high users respectively. About three-fourths (74%) of the farmers did not

use any S fertilizer compared to 1.3%, 0.7% and 24% were the low, medium and high

users respectively. Almost all (96%) of the farmers were the no users of boron

fertilizer and the rest 4% were the high users. Nobody was the low or medium users of

boron fertilizer. Overall findings revealed that almost all (97.3%) of the farmers used

medium to high chemical fertilizers like urea, TSP, MP, Zn, S and boron fertilizers for

banana cultivation.

Chemical pesticides used by the farmers

Vegetable cultivation: For insect control in vegetable fields, 72% farmers used

Carbofuran insecticide, 67% farmers used Cypermethrin, 52% of them Dimethoate,

36% Fenitrothion, and 26% Lamda cyhalothrin insecticides. Majority proportion

(47.3%) of the vegetable farmers were medium users of insecticides for insect control

in vegetable fields compare to 10%, 3.3% and 39.3% were the no, low and high users

respectively.

48

For disease control in vegetable fields, farmers mainly used fungicides. Most (62%) of

the farmers used Dimathomorph with Mancozeb group of fungicides, 54% of them

used Metalaxyl M with Mancozeb group, 47% mancozeb group and 31% Carbendazim

group of fungicides. Majority proportion (38%) of the vegetable farmers were the

medium users of fungicides for diseases control in vegetable fields compared to 19.4%,

6.6% and 36% were the no, low and high users respectively.

It was found from the overall findings that an overwhelming majority (89.3%) of the

farmers used medium to high chemical pesticides for vegetable cultivation.

Banana cultivation: For hopper control in banana, 37% farmers used 'Carrate', 33%

used 'Sythrin' and 22% used 'Ostad'. To control fruit fly, 36% banana farmers used

Sumithion. For controlling 'sigatooga' of banana, 41% farmers used 'tilt' and 39%

farmers used 'knowin'. To protect banana from rotten and physical spot, 35% farmers

used Contaff, 31% used Shinkar and 21% used Cupravit 50 WP.

Almost all (96.7%) the banana farmers were high users of insecticides. Only 3.3% of

them did not use any insecticides in their banana fields. About two-thirds (63.4%) of

the banana farmers were the high users of fungicides for diseases control compared to

only 2% and 1.3% of them were the low and medium users of fungicides in banana

fields. Rest one-third (33.3%) of the farmers did not use any fungicides in banana

cultivation.

Overall findings revealed that almost all (99.3%) the farmers used medium to high

chemical pesticides for banana cultivation.

49

Hormones used by the farmers and wholesalers

Farmers: Farmers of the study areas did not use any chemicals and hormones for

vegetables and banana harvesting, storing, transporting and marketing. But they used

Litosen, Okozim, Alga gold etc. as plant growth regulator (PGR) for vegetable

cultivation. They used Litosen, Crop plus and Genimax as PGR for banana cultivation.

More PGR was used in banana cultivation than vegetable cultivation. Majority (58%)

of the vegetables farmers were the low users of PGR compared to 40.6% no users and

only 1.4% medium to high users. About two-fifths (40.7%) of the banana farmers were

the low users of PGR compared to 28% and 30.7% were the no and medium users.

Only 0.7% was the higher of PGR.

Wholesalers: Vegetable wholesalers did not use any chemicals/hormones/ripening

agent for marketing. Banana wholesalers used ripening agent like promote, ripen-15,

tomtom, ethrel, ethophen etc. Some of them used heat for ripening banana and some of

them did nothing for ripening, they purchased banana from the local market and sent it

to Dhaka city without doing any activity.

Three-fourths (74%) of the banana wholesalers used different types of ripening agent

for quick ripening of banana. The wholesalers of Shah Ali market, Mirpur and Karwan

bazars of Dhaka city often drop the banana in the liquid mixture of ripening agents for

quick ripening and attractive colour. Sometimes they used carbide for quick ripening

of banana. Besides using ripening agents, they drop the banana again in the formalin to

protect from rotting.

50

More than half (52%) of the banana wholesalers were high users of ripening agents

compared to 9% and 13% low users and medium users respectively. About one-fourth

(26%) of the banana wholesalers used no ripening agent for quick ripening.

Effect of using chemical inputs for cultivating vegetables and banana

Farmers' perception: Majority (71.3%) of the vegetable farmers perceived medium to

high effect compared to 22.7% low and only 6% no effect on human food adulteration

by using chemical inputs in cultivation. On the other hand about two-thirds (66%) of

the banana farmers perceived low effect compared to 22% medium to high effect and

only 12% perceived no effect on human food adulteration by using chemical inputs in

banana cultivation.

Consumers' perception: Most (71%) of the consumers perceived that effect of excess

use of chemical fertilizers in vegetable cultivation increase human diseases followed

by increase food toxicity (56%), degrade food taste (51%), degrade food value (29%)

and decrease crop shelf-life (23%). Twenty nine percent of the consumers had no

perception on these aspects. More or less similar findings were found in case of using

excess chemical fertilizers in banana cultivation.

Three-fourths (76%) of the consumers perceived that effect of excess use of chemical

pesticides in vegetable cultivation increase human diseases followed by increase food

toxicity (65%), degrade food taste (59%), decrease crop shelf-life (23%) and degrade

food value (32%). About one-fourth (24%) of the consumers had no perception on

these aspects. Again more than three-fourth (76%) of the consumers perceived that

effect of excess using chemical pesticides in banana cultivation increase human

diseases followed by increase food toxicity (69%), degrade food taste (65%), decrease

51

crop shelf-life (49%) and degrade food value (39%). About one-fourth (24%) of the

consumers had no perception on these aspects.

Effect of chemical inputs for cultivating vegetables and banana on food quality:

Vitamin-C, β-carotene and protein content of brinjal samples with high doses of

chemical fertilizers were higher than the brinjal samples without using any chemical

fertilizers. It was due to that Vitamin-C, ß-carotene and protein content of brinjal

might increase with the use of higher doses of chemical fertilizers.

Vitamin-C, β-Carotene and protein content of brinjal samples collected after 5-days of

ripcord spraying was higher than the samples collected after 3-days of spraying.

Residual levels were higher than 0.36 ppm in the brinjal samples collected after 3-days

of spaying, and below 0.1 ppm in case of collected after 5-days of spraying.

Effects of using hormones

Twenty two to 31 percent of the consumers perceived that using PGR in vagetables

and banana cultivation increase human disease and food toxicity, degrade food taste

and food value and decrease crop shelf-life. About two-thirds of the consumers had no

perception on this aspect.



consumers perceived that use of ripening agent decrease shelf-life of banana. To

overcome this reason some wholesalers used formalin to protect the banana from

rottening after using ripening agent. Around one-third (32% to 35%) of the consumers

52

interviewed perceived that use of ripening agent might increase human diseases and

food toxicity and might degrade food taste and food value.

Higher total sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugars, vitamin-C, acidity and total

soluble solids were found in banana treated with ripening agent than the fresh banana.

Higher PH values were observed in the non treated banana than the treated banana.

Verification of results through training-cum-workshop

Based on group discussion of training-cum-workshop participants it was found that on

the basis of descending order of obtained total effect score of excess use of chemical

fertilizers in vegetable and banana cultivation, degrade food taste ranked first followed

by degrade food value, increase food toxicity, increase human diseases and create new

human diseases.




and increase human diseases.


for banana marketing, decrease banana shelf-life ranked first followed by degrade food

taste, increase human diseases, increase food toxicity and degrade food value.

53

POLICY IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

On the basis of the findings of the study, the following policy implications and

recommendations are made:

1. Farmers used mostly urea, TSP and MP fertilizers for vegetables and banana

cultivation. Some used very high quantity of these three fertilizers. Use of Zn,

Sulpher and Boron fertilizers was low, but there is necessity to use of these

fertilizers. On the other hand, excess use of chemical fertilizers had negative effect

as perceived by the farmers and consumers. Excessive use of fertilizers can pollute

the soil and environment and low use may decrease yield. Therefore, it may be

recommended that a campaign should be launched by concerned authorities like the

DAE, and other organizations so that the farmers can be sensitized to use the

recommended balance of fertilizers as suggested by the Bangladesh Agricultural

Research Council (BARC) for the sake of food security and food quality.

2. An overwhelming majority of the farmers used medium to high quantity of chemical

pesticides for vegetable and banana cultivation. But excess use of chemical

pesticides had negative effect on food quality as perceived by the farmers and

consumers. Therefore, it may be recommended that pesticide awareness programme

should be launched by DAE and related organizations so that the farmers can

judiciously use chemical pesticides for vegetable and banana cultivation.

3. Pesticide manufacturing and marketing companies sell their products in the markets,

with approval of the Plant Protection Wing of the Department of Agricultural

Extension (DAE) and other concerned authorities. Sometimes local input dealers

mislead farmers to use high doses and improper pesticides. Without a

comprehensive understanding, farmers purchase pesticides from dealers and use

them in excess amounts. Therefore, it may be recommended that DAE, pesticide

marketing companies and other related companies should take responsibility to train

54

the farmers about the judicious use of pesticides. Besides this, incorrect information

given by dishonest input dealers should be stopped.

4. Residual level of using cypermethrin pesticide in brinjal samples collected after 3-

days of spaying were higher than Maximum Resedual Level (MRL). The level

collected after 5-days of spraying was below the MRL. Therefore, it may be

recommended that necessary motivational programmes should be taken by the

concerned authorities so that the farmers do not harvest vegetables before attaining

lower residual level of chemical pesticides.

5. More than half (52%) of the banana wholesalers were high users of ripening agents

for quick ripening of banana. The wholesalers of big markets of Dhaka city used

formalin to protect banana from rotting with the use of ripening agent. Chemical

analysis revealed that recommended dose of ripening agent was not harmful. But

most of the ripening agent users did not maintain any recommended doses and use

of formalin might be harmful. Therefore, necessary motivational and legislative

programmes should be taken by the concerned authorities so that the banana

wholesalers could use recommended doses of ripening agent for banana marketing

without using formalin.

6. Carbide and formalin are harmful to the human body. Therefore, it may be

recommended that use of carbide for quick banana ripening and use of formalin for

banana marketing should be prevented by legislation established by concerned

authorities.

7. Necessary training and motivational campaigns should be organized by the

concerned authorities for the vegetable and banana farmers and wholesalers so that

they can understand the negative effects of excess use of chemical inputs for

vegetable and banana cultivation and marketing and ultimately can use these inputs

judiciously.

55

AREAS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

On the basis of the scope and limitations of the study and observations made by the

researchers, the following areas were identified for further research:

1. This study was conducted in selected upazillas of three districts of Bangladesh,

namely, Narsingdi, Gazipur and Tangail. It is recommended that such studies

should also be conducted in other areas of Bangladesh.

2. There are many subject-matter areas on the effects of excess use of chemical inputs

in vegetable and banana cultivation and marketing. The present study limited its

scope to the effects related to food quality. Further research is needed in

connection with other aspects related to society and environment.

3. There were many vegetable and fruits, but only selected vegetables and banana

were considered for this study. Further research is needed to determine the effect

of excess use of chemical inputs in other vegetables and fruit cultivation and

marketing.

4. Residual effect of using cypermethrin group of insecticide on brinjal cultivation

was determined. Further research should be conducted to determine other

pesticides' residual effect on other crops.

5. Residual effects of 3 and 5-days after spraying were considered. Further research

should be conducted to determine other period after spaying.

6. Residual effect of insecticide was determined before cooking. Further research

should be conducted to determine the residual effect after cooking.

7. Only Promote @ 20ml/L was used to measure the effect of ripening agent on

quality of banana. Further research should be conducted to determine the effect of

using other ripening agents, carbide and formalin for banana marketing.

56

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of findings of the study, the following conclusions are made:

1. Farmers used high amount of urea, TSP and MP fertilizers and low quantity Zn,

sulpher and boron fertilizers. But there is necessity to use of Zn, sulpher and boron

fertilizers in balance proportion. It was fact that excess use of chemical fertilizers

has negative effects on food quality. Therefore, it may be concluded that use of

balance fertilizers is inevitable for food security including quality vegetable and

banana cultivation.

2. An overwhelming majority of the farmers used medium to high quantity chemical

pesticides for vegetable and banana cultivation. But excess use of chemical

pesticides had negative effect on food quality as perceived by the farmers and

consumers. Therefore, it may be concluded that judicious use of chemical

pesticides is necessary for vegetable and banana cultivation.

3. Residual level of using cypermethrine group of pesticide in brinjal samples collected

after 3-days of spraying were higher than 0.36 ppm and below 0.1 ppm in case of

collected after 5-days of spraying. The recommended Maximum Residual Level

(MRL) of cypermethrine group of insecticide in brinjal is 0.2 ppm. Therefore, it

may be concluded that brinjal may not be harvested as food before 5 days after

spraying of the aforesaid insecticide.

4. More than half (52%) of the banana wholesalers were the high users ripening agent

for quick ripening of banana. Chemical analysis revealed that recommended dose of

ripening agents was not harmful. But most of the ripening agent users did not

maintain any recommended doses. It might be harmful with formalin. Therefore, it

may be concluded that excess use of ripening agent must be prohibited for quick

ripening of banana.

57

5. Some big wholesalers used carbide for quick banana ripening. Besides using

ripening agents, the wholesalers of big markets of Dhaka city used formalin to

protect banana from rotting. Carbide and formalin are very harmful to human body.

Therefore, it may be concluded that use of carbide and formalin for banana

marketing should be prohibited.

6. It may be concluded that an understanding of the farmers and wholesalers on the

effects of excess use of chemical inputs for vegetable and banana cultivation and

marketing is necessary for better quality food production.

KEY MESSAGES

1. Chemical inputs should be used judiciously in vegetable and banana cultivation. It is

better to start organic farming gradually for safe food production.

2. Use of ripening agents such as carbide for quick ripening of banana should be

controlled. Use of formalin for banana marketing should be prohibited.

58

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All praises are due to Almighty Allah who enabled the researchers to complete the

research. The researchers gratefully acknowledge the authority of National Food

Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme (NPFCSP) Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO) along with Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

and the financial support of United States Agency for International Development

(USAID) and the European Commission in the completion of this project. .

Our deepest appreciation is extended to Mr. Ad Spijkers, FAO Representative in

Bangladesh for signing the Letter of Agreement of the research project on behalf of the

Food and Agriculture Organization. Sincere appreciation is also extended to Dr. Md.

Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan, Director, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Research

System for signing the Letter of Agreement on behalf of the Sher-e-Bangla

Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.

It is the researchers' proud privilege to express their deep sense of gratitude, profound

appreciation and immense indebtedness to Mr. Ciro Fiorillo, Chief Technical Advisor;

Dr. Lalita Bhattacharjee, Nutritionist and Professor Dr. Harun K. M. Yusuf, National

Utilization (Safe and Nutritious Food) Advisor, National Food Policy Capacity

Strengthening Programme (NPFCSP) for their continuous monitoring, evaluation,

inspiration, suggestions and untiring assistance throughout the tenure of the study.

The researchers would like to express their heartfelt appreciation, indebtedness and

gratitude to Mr. Md. Abdul Khaleque, Research Director (Nutrition), FPMU; Dr. Nur

Ahamed Khondaker, National Research Grant Administrator; and Mr. Nafis Ahmed

Khan, Asst. FAO Representative (Operations) for their helpful administrative support.

The researchers record their heartfelt appreciation and profound gratitude to Dr. Kamal

Humayun Kabir, Chief Scientific Officer; Mr. Muhammad Delwar Hossain Prodhan,

Scientific Officer and other Scientific Officers of Bangladesh Agricultural Research

Institute (BARI), Gazipur for helping in chemical analysis in the laboratory.

59

The researchers also humbly desire to express their deepest and most sincere gratitude

to the central authority of Proshika and local authority of Proshika Sreepur Area

Development Center for providing venue and necessary support for arranging training

programme concerned with this research project. The researchers also express their

sincere gratitude to the trainers and trainees of the training programme.

Last but not least, the researchers would like to express their sincere thanks to the

vegetables and banana farmers, wholesalers and consumers of the study areas for their

co-operation and patience in giving their valuable inputs during data collection.

Mohammad Hossain Bhuiyan

Md. Sekender Ali

Mohammad Mainuddin Molla

60

REFERENCES

BARC. 2006. Fertilizer Recommendation Guide. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.

Bauna, G. I. E. 1976. Effect of ethephone on ripening of banana. Egypt. J. Hort. 3(1):111-114.

BBS. 2004. Statistical Pocketbook Bangladesh. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Planning Division, Ministry of planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

Murakami, S. 1991. Lessons from Nature – a guide to Ecological Agriculture in the

tropics. Proshika-MUK, Dhaka.

Ewaidah, E. H. 1972. Studies on commercially canned juices product locally in Soudia Arabia,III. Physicochemical organoleptic and microbiological assessment. Food chemistry. 44(2):103-111.

Golder, P. C. 2000. Studies on growth yield and quality of banana as affected by growth regulators. Ph. D. Thesis. Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University. Gazipur-1703, Bangladesh. 183p

Islam, M. S. 1998. Storage life and quality of banana as affected by packaging and coating materials. M.S. thesis submitted to institute of postgraduate Studies in Agriculture, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Melkamu, M., T. Seyoum and K. Woldetsadik. 2008. Effect of pre and post harvest treatments on changes in sugar content of tomato. African Journal of Biotechnology. 798):1139-1144. Available online at http://www. academicjournals.org/AJB.

Pandey, I. R. 2006. Improvement in post harvest handling and ripening of Banana. Available online at http://www.nardf.org.np/document/content/project1.pdf.

Patil, D. L. and N. G. Magar . 1976. Physiochemical changes in banana fruit during

ripening. J. Maharastra Agric. Univ.1:95-99.

Ranganna. S. 1991. Hand Book of Analysis and Quality Control for Fruit and Vegetable Products. Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Ltd. New Delhi, India. 1112p.

Waskar, D. P. and S. R. Roy. 1992. Post harvest ripening changes in banana-a review. Agric. Rev. 13(1): 36-42.

61

ANNEXESImportant Photographs of activities

Picture 1. Researchers investigating vegetable field

Picture 2. Researchers investigating bean field

62

Picture 3. Co-investigator interviewing a farmer in his banana field

Picture 4. Farmer in the banana garden

63

Picture 5. Co-investigator investigating bottle gourd market

Picture 6. Farmer in the papaya garden

64

Picture 7. Principal investigator investigating pesticides packet

Picture 8. Farmer spraying in the field

65

Picture 9. Inaugural session of training-cum-workshop

Picture 10. Participants and facilitators are discussing in the training-cum- workshop

66

Picture 11. Group discussing of the participants in training-cum-workshop

Picture 12. Closing session of training-cum-workshop

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