Investigating Pesticide Use and Management in King Orange (Citrus nobilis) Farming in Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province, Vietnam

The study was conducted to evaluate the current situation of pesticide use on the model of growing king orange (Citrus nobilis) in Hieu Nghia commune, Vung Liem district, Vinh Long province, Vietnam thereby assessing the potential effects of the pesticide use on health and the environment by direct interviewing 60 farmers growing king orange. Information on the potential effects of the pesticide use is retrieved from available scientific databases of chemical toxicity. The results showed that 100% of the households use pesticides during cultivating king orange in which 60% of the farmers using chemical pesticides, 36.7% using biological ingredients, 36.7% and 3.3% using pesticides with unknown sources. The interview results showed that the households used 6 pesticides with toxic group I; 53 pesticides with toxic group II; 22 pesticides with toxic group III and 40 pesticides with toxic group IV. There were 60% of the households used pesticide dosage according to the instructions on the package; 26.7% of the households used more than recommended dosage and 13.3% households used less than recommended dosage. The number of the farmers with clear understanding of the harmful effects of plant protection chemicals accounted for 5.0%, with knowledge accounting for 48.3%, with little knowledge of 31.7% and ignorance at 15%. Regarding the methods of handling pesticides packages after use, there were 45% of the farmers treated the wastes by disposing of in the fields, 30% selling to vendors and 25% burning the wastes. With the current knowledge and practice of using and managing pesticides, the risk to the environment and the health of the people is very serious. Health, environment and agriculture agencies should take measures to support people in protecting health, managing wastes generated from pesticides use to reduce risks to health and the environment.