Assessing residents' attitudes and practices of pesticide use in Aripo sub-catchment, Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

With increasing modernization of agriculture pesticides became one of the biggest threats for local aquatic ecosystems in Trinidad. The Caroni presents a typical watershed exposed to pesticides. We studied in the Aripo sub-catchment the types of pesticides used and willingness of its inhabitants to limit or stop using pesticides. In general, farmers who have experience in farming with pesticides for dozens of years expressed lower awareness than non-farmers who are usually not in direct contact with these chemicals. The majority of both groups were open to contribute to a decrease in use of pesticides. Nevertheless, the majority of farmers refused the possibility of not using pesticides at all. This decision was based on the belief that farming would be impossible without using any pesticides. Farmers’ WTA was expressed as “thousands of dollars” due to so many constraints they would have to face. Non-farmers’ WTP was subsequently TT$ 100 and TT$ 200 which is nearly 2.3% or 4.6% of their mean income. It is necessary to advance the personal interests of both farmers and non-farmers by means of governmental incentives for increasing the awareness of pesticide issues.