Pesticide Utilization of Vegetable Industry in Maragusan Compostela Valley Province

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the vegetables grown, particular pesticides used, frequency of applications, volume applied for a particular cropping and the sources of pesticides. The data were obtained through an interview schedule and from the sales records of Agrochemical stores in Maragusan, and Tagum City. Findings reveal that the consumption of insecticides (50%) ranks first followed by fungicides (41%) and herbicides (8%) in vegetable production at Maragusan, Compostela Valley. Farmers rely on chemical pesticides as a method of protecting plants against pests. Most farmers (91 used the same pesticides on varieties of crops and used several pesticides on one type of crop. There were twelve (12) kinds of vegetable crops grown in Maragusan. Tomato, bell pepper, ampalaya, eggplant, and cabbage were found to have the highest pesticides consumption. Most farmers purchased pesticides by kilo and by liter, since they only till about two (2) hectares and below. On the other hand, the applications of pesticides were not influenced by its cost and financial.