Evaluation of Attitudes and Knowledge Levels of Olive Producers in the Application of Agricultural Pharmaceuticals (Mardin Province)

Abstract

Olives are one of the essential nutrients in human nutrition and health, thanks to the vitamins they contain. There are many diseases, pests and weed species in olive gardens that cause a loss of productivity and quality of this important nutrient. Producers use different methods in plant protection practices to combat these existing pests. This study was conducted to determine the awareness levels of olive producers about plant protection practices in Derik district of Mardin province, where olive production was intense in 2020. For this purpose, the information collected through a 20-question survey method conducted face to face with a total of 90 producers in 15 villages through simple random sampling was evaluated on a percentage basis. According to the results of the current study, it was determined that the olive farmers had high education levels, and the majority of them had other non-agricultural incomes besides agriculture. Those engaged in olive cultivation consult plant protection dealerships and the provincial/district Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in choosing plant protection products and adjusting their dosage. They stated that the brand and active ingredients are important features in the selection of chemical pesticides, and while they apply pesticides in advance for precautionary purposes without seeing the pests and diseases, they do not use the same pesticides against the same diseases and pests every year and apply the recommended dosage. Producers pay attention to the waiting time between the last spraying and harvest time due to the fact that chemical pesticides leave residues on the products, and they take protective measures for their own health during chemical pesticide application. In order to solve the plant protection problems faced by farmers in the agricultural field, cultural measures are generally applied along with chemical control. However, it is inevitable that chemicals will create many negative situations for human and environmental health over time. For this reason, it is important to carry out an effective, economical and environmentally friendly struggle using appropriate methods in plant protection practices in order to avoid being exposed to undesirable side effects.