Pesticide use knowledge and practices: Gender differences in Nepal

Abstract

This article analyzes the gender differences on knowledge and practices of pesticide use and argues that understanding pesticide use knowledges, attitudes and practices is imperative in identifying how high the risks are for pesticide use according to gender. Understanding these elements is also important for integrating a more gender-sensitive approach to training and IPM programs. The author found that males are better educated, which makes them more likely to read and understand safety labels and be more aware of pesticide safety measures than females because they decide which pesticides will be used. This falls in line with male domination of household resources and decision making. The author found that pesticide use can be minimized through IPM techniques because although IPM techniques are more labor intensive, they produce higher yields and higher net returns.