ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDE DUE TO THE USE OF GLYPHOSATE IN AGRICULTURE IN THE LOWER BASIN OF THE JAMAPA RIVER IN VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

Currently, there is a debate about the toxicity and consequences of glyphosate use on human health and the environment. The objective of this work was to estimate the level of use of this herbicide and the environmental attitude of farmers. The hypothesis was that glyphosate use is low in agriculture and the environmental attitude is unclear. For this purpose, a total of 103 questionnaires were distributed to farmers in Jamapa and Medellín in Veracruz, Mexico, to gather socioeconomic, technical-productive, and attitude data. The information was analyzed through descriptive statistics and parametric (t-student) and non-parametric (X²) tests. According to the findings, farmers have an average age of 60 to 63 years, work in agriculture, and have an average level of education equivalent to incomplete primary school. The type of tenure of the production unit between municipalities was found to be statistically different (p < 0.05). In Jamapa and Medellín, the average land extension was 6 and 9 ha, respectively. The predominant crops are maize (Zea mays L.), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania), mainly rainfed and for self-consumption or local and/or regional sale. Weeds are moderately affected when chemical herbicides are used, with glyphosate being the main herbicide for both agricultural and non-agricultural use. It was found that 94–98 % of farmers do not use safety measures and do not receive technical training. Glyphosate is used sparingly by farmers in agricultural practices. However, the general perspective is that it has a negative impact on the environment and people’s health. There is a difference of opinion regarding the risk in the use of glyphosate and the environmental attitude in the disposal of containers and application of personal prevention measures.