Egyptian Farmers' Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Agricultural Pesticides: Implications for Pesticide Risk Communication

Summary

This cross-sectional survey of farmers in a major agricultural region of Egypt revealed widespread unsafe pesticide handling practices and significant knowledge gaps about pesticide risks and environmental contamination. Despite over half of respondents relying on wells for drinking water, most were uncertain whether pesticides could contaminate groundwater. The study highlights that low formal education and lack of participation in pesticide training programmes contribute to unsafe use, and recommends targeted education initiatives delivered through trusted ministry officials as a pathway to improve pesticide risk communication.

Regional applicability

Whilst this study is specific to Egypt, the findings on knowledge gaps, unsafe handling practices, and reliance on informal information sources are likely relevant to other developing agricultural regions with similar educational infrastructure and regulatory capacity constraints. UK conditions differ substantially—UK farmers typically have access to regulated pesticide training, extension services, and stricter enforcement—making direct transferability limited, though the communication approach (trusted official channels) may have broader applicability to improving pesticide safety messaging in low-resource settings.

Key measures

Pesticide application practices, knowledge of pesticide hazards and groundwater contamination, disposal methods for empty containers, sources of pesticide information, educational background, participation in pesticide education programs

Outcomes reported

The study documented levels of unsafe pesticide use, knowledge gaps about pesticides and groundwater contamination risk, and farmers' preferred sources for pesticide risk information. It identified education and trust in ministry officials as key factors for improving pesticide safety communication.

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