Characterization of the horticultural production system and the use of pesticides in the valley of Chancay-Huaral, Peru

Abstract

Objectives: To characterize horticultural production systems and the use of pesticides in the valley of Chancay- Huaral, Peru. Methodology: The study area was located between coordinates 11°00’-11°40’S and 76°28’- 77°20’W. A sample of 96 farmers was used and a survey on social, economic and agronomic aspects was applied. The data was analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software. Results: About social aspects, 84.4% of those responsible for the farm were men, with predominant ages between 50 and 59 years old (34.4%); 28.1% have 1019 years of experience as farmers, predominantly secondary education (49.5%); the number of children had a mode of three. Economically, 84.4% had plots of 5 ha or less; For 33.3%, pesticides represented 21 to 30% of the production cost, being financed in cash (40.6%) and mixed (40.6%). The main destination of the product was Lima (80.2%); 34.4% bought the seed in agricultural establishments and 26% obtained it from the previous campaign; 92.7% consumed their own vegetables, with lettuce and tomato being the most consumed. Agronomically, 88.5% use surface irrigation; 87.5% incorporate organic matter and 63.5% incorporate crop residues into the soil; 34.4% apply the fertilizer manually. All develop conventional management and use pesticides as the main control method, with children participating in 61.5% of the cases; highlighting the family participation in the applications (73%). Applicators are highly exposed to agrochemicals during preparation and application due to lack of personal protective equipment. Conclusion: The characterization developed in this study, allowed to identify socially, that the producers have remarkable experience; economically, pesticides represent an important production cost; agronomically, conventional management predominates in the horticultural systems. This needs to be holistically optimized, for the sustainability of their livelihoods.