Factors Influencing Chemical Pesticide Use Among Orchardists with a Focus on Environmental Ethics in Agriculture

The objective of this research is to examine the factors influencing the consumption of chemical pesticides among orchardists, with an emphasis on environmental ethics in agriculture. A survey method and a researcher-designed questionnaire were used to collect the necessary data. The target population included 2,329 orchardists from the Golestan County, out of which 320 orchardists were selected as a sample using cluster sampling methods. Path analysis was utilized to understand the direct and indirect effects of independent variables on the final dependent variable, pesticide consumption. The results of the pesticide consumption pattern analysis indicated that the respondents exhibit a significant reliance on various types of chemical pesticides for pest control and utilize a diverse range of pesticides. The path analysis results showed that the most substantial negative impacts on pesticide consumption were associated with the independent variables of determining pesticide quantity based on expert recommendations, the overall safety index (use of personal protective equipment), possession of environmental ethics in agriculture, education level, determining pesticide quantity according to factory guidelines, participation in related training and extension programs, concern about the effects of pesticides on human health, concern about environmental impacts, and determining pesticide quantity based on the size of the orchard. Conversely, the independent variables with the most significant positive impacts on pesticide consumption included orchard size, farming experience, total production, income, age, non-orchard income, place of residence, and determining pesticide quantity based on recommendations from other farmers.