ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to describe some of the vulnerabilities and risk situations related to pesticides and their implications on the health of rural workers in the city of Miguel Calmon, Bahia. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to random samples of 98 farm workers to obtain data on social, economic, and cultural characteristics, as well as the morbidity related to pesticide poisoning. An event was held in the city with the aim of instigating the community to develop coping strategies These farm workers have low level of schooling and low family incomes. About 60% reported the use of pesticides in their plantations; 11% percent of the population reported poisoning events at some point in their lives and 80% reported symptoms suggestive of pesticide poisoning. Although 40% of farmers did not use pesticides, only 28% reported knowledge about agroecology or organic production. These results were presented at an event in the city and the need to devise projects that address this problem in the region was discussed. The community has listed several strategies to opposing the conventional production for those who don’t use pesticides and for those who are unaware of more sustainable ways of agriculture.
KEYWORDS
Agriculture; Rural workers; Social vulnerability; Local strategies