Khuda Bakhsh

Pesticide exposure in the local community of Vehari District in Pakistan: An assessment of knowledge and residues in human blood

The present study is based on cross-sectional data collected from rural and market areas of Vehari District in Pakistan to assess public awareness of pesticide risks and determine the levels of exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the local community. Blood samples were collected from 56 volunteer donors (VDs) including children, female workers, farm workers involved in pesticide business, farm workers involved in pesticide spraying activities, and people who were living away from agricultural fields. Blood analysis showed that VDs who were involved in spraying activities had significantly higher levels of OCP residues in their blood samples than VDs from the other groups, with mean concentrations of 1.13, 0.92, 0.68 and 1.96ngmL-1 for pp-DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan, respectively. However, VDs who were living away from agricultural fields had significantly lower levels of pesticide residues in their blood samples, with mean concentrations of 0.30, 0.19, 0.14 and 0.41ngmL-1 for pp-DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan, respectively. A survey of 179 volunteer respondents (VRs) showed that a significant proportion of the VRs had little knowledge of using the recommended amounts of pesticides (65.9%). Furthermore, the majority of the VRs was found using limited protective measures during pesticide use (62.6%) and was practising unsafe storage of pesticides (87.7%). In addition, most farm workers (88.8%) reported an increasing trend in pesticide use in their farms each year. Knowledge of pesticide risks on human health increased with formal education and training. Poor knowledge regarding pesticide risks and handling among inhabitants of Vehari District contribute to high exposure levels to OCPs, particularly among farm workers. Findings are useful for policy formulation aimed at reduction of pesticide exposure in Pakistan.

Economic growth, CO2 emissions, renewable waste and FDI relation in Pakistan: New evidences from 3SLS

First attempt has been made to find the effects of foreign direct investment on environmental pollution and economic growth, in addition to finding the determinants of foreign direct investment inflows in Pakistan using the annual data set for the period of 1980-2014. Simultaneous equation model has been used to find relation between the variables of concern. Results from technique and composition effects show that increase in economic growth leads towards more pollution emissions. Scale effect shows stock of capital and labor have positive effect on the economic growth of Pakistan while pollution has negative effect on growth. In case of capital accumulation effect, economic growth and foreign direct investment have positive and significant effect on stock of capital. Although increase in economic growth increases pollution, however, economic growth declines as pollution crosses a certain limit. Foreign direct investment is also found positively related with pollution.

How hard they hit? Perception, adaptation and public health implications of heat waves in urban and peri-urban Pakistan

Heat waves threaten human health given the fast changing climatic scenarios in the recent past. Adaptation to heat waves would take place when people perceive their impacts based on their knowledge. The present study examines perception level and its determinants resulting in adaptation to heat waves in Pakistan. The study used cross-sectional data from urban and peri-urban respondents of Faisalabad District. The study employs a health belief model to assess risk perception among the respondents. Logistic model is used to determine factors affecting level of knowledge, perception and adaptation to heat waves. Around 30% of peri-urban respondents have a low level of knowledge about the fatal impacts of heat waves. Risk perception of heat waves is very low among urban (57%) and peri-urban (66%) respondents. Households’ knowledge on heat waves is significantly related to age, gender, education, wealth and access to health services. Determinants of perception include knowledge of heat waves, age and joint effect of marital status and knowledge while income level, family size, urban/peri-urban background, perceived barriers, perceived benefits and cues to action significantly affect adaptation to heat waves. To reduce deadly health impacts, mass awareness campaigns are needed to build perception and improve adaptation to heat waves.

Knowledge, Perception and Socioeconomic Vulnerability of Urban and Peri-urban Households to Heat Waves in Pakistan

Heat waves cause a large number of morbidity and mortality cases each year in Pakistan. Although the institutions cannot overcome heat waves, its intensity in the forms of morbidity and mortality can be minimized by taking precautionary measures. We examine knowledge and perception of population regarding heat waves in Faisalabad. Results show that 53 % respondents in peri-urban areas are involved in open field jobs and such respondents are more vulnerable to heat waves in the absence of no precautionary measures. Further, long working hours increase misery of such individuals. Access to health services is poor, since visits made by health workers to households are very few per year. Unfortunately, 20–30 % individuals having knowledge on heat waves do not follow instructions to avoid adverse effects of heat waves. Strengthening the role of print and electronic media, social networks, and health institutions can save many lives in the heat prone areas in Pakistan.

Dengue fever in Punjab, Pakistan: Knowledge, perception and adaptation among urban adults

Climate change and weather variations are strongly associated with the incidence of dengue fever, outbreak risk in Pakistan and other developing countries. Knowledge and adaptation measures can affect the incidence and outbreak risk of dengue fever. The present study attempted to determine the knowledge, perception and adaptation to dengue fever by the respondents in Faisalabad, Pakistan employing cross-sectional data. The respondents who suffered and those that did not suffer from dengue fever have reported that electronic and print media were important sources of awareness about dengue fever. Around 59% respondents who did not suffer from dengue fever reported knowledge of being affected by dengue fever and 67% did not perceive that the symptoms of dengue fever would appear after mosquito biting. Logit model was employed to examine the factors affecting the adaptation measures to reduce the incidence of dengue fever. Education, family size, adults, income and perception were significantly related adaptation to dengue fever. The respondents that suffered from dengue fever were highly probable to use the adaptation measures compared to the respondents that did not suffer from dengue fever. Findings of the study might be helpful for the public health authorities to devise policies on improving awareness of dengue fever among the masses and sensitizing population to use adaptation measures.

Impacts of Bt cotton on profitability, productivity and farm inputs in Pakistan: use of panel models

This study estimates the benefits from adopting Bt cotton seeds in Punjab, Pakistan over two cropping seasons - 2008 and 2009. The study uses the panel modeling approach to determine the average effects of Bt cotton technology on short-run profits, yields and farm inputs. This approach controls for biases resulting from self-selection and endogenous farm inputs. The study shows that, on average, Bt adopting farmers receive 9 per cent higher yields per hectare (ha), reduce per-ha pesticide use by 21.7 per cent, and increase per-ha use of irrigation water by 6 per cent. Our estimates of the increase in cotton yield are far below estimates from previous studies conducted in Pakistan and India, which do not use panel methods. Allowing more Bt cotton varieties and ensuring the availability of quality Bt cotton seeds in the market is likely to lead to further increase in the private benefits from Bt cotton.

DOES PRODUCTIVITY MATTER IN THE ADOPTION OF HYBRID RICE? A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The present study was designed to analyze comparative economics of hybrid rice and basmati in the core rice growing area of Punjab. Cross-data was collected through well-structured questionnaires from 80 farmers during May and June 2011.Study results reveal that higher yield and less time required for maturity in production were the main reasons for planting of hybrid rice. Hybrid rice occupied 3.6 acres whereas area under basmati was 5.9 acres of the total farm area. Farmers obtained above 60 percent increase in yield of hybrid rice. Results show that cost of production of basmati rice was estimated as Rs.37364 per acre and total revenue was Rs.44768 per acre. The benefit cost ratio of basmati rice was 1.20 and that of hybrid rice was 1.80, implying that hybrid rice has brought comparatively more economic benefits to the farmers as compared to basmati in the study area. Shortage of buyers, much costly poor quality hybrid seed, late payment and higher transportation costs are among major constraints in rice production and marketing.