The Reality of Implementing Environmental and Health Safety Practices in Cucumber Cultivation in Al-Mada’in District in Baghdad

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the extent to which cucumber farmers in the Madain District apply sustainable environmental and health safety practices, as well as to identify the priorities for implementing such practices among cucumber farmers in the Madain District according to their importance . The research was conducted in the Madain district of Baghdad Governorate and included a study population of 200 cucumber farmers; a simple random sample of 100 farmers (50% of the study population) was selected. To achieve the research objective, a questionnaire was developed based on studies and research relevant to the topic, as well as the opinions of specialists and experts in the field.  The questionnaire consisted of seven items to measure the level of implementation of sustainable marketing practices. A four-point scale was adopted based on the level of implementation, with responses weighted as 0, 1, 2 and 3. The data were analysed using SPSS, and the results showed that the majority of respondents fell within the medium level of implementation of sustainable environmental and health safety practices, accounting for 51%, whilst those at the high level accounted for 18%, and those at the low level accounted for 17%. It also emerged that the item ‘Avoid spraying pesticides when it is windy’ ranked first with a percentage weight of 83%, whilst the item ‘Use protective equipment when spraying’ ranked last with a percentage weight of 31.33%. The research concluded that the overall level of sustainable environmental and health safety practices implemented by farmers in cucumber production in the Al-Mada’in region was average, and there was a significant difference between farmers in their adoption of these practices. It was also noted that some practices for the safe use of pesticides were emphasised more than others, and that some preventive and health practices were still poorly implemented, highlighting the need to improve awareness and agricultural guidance to achieve more sustainable farming and better protection of the environment and human health. The study recommended the need to increase the level of guidance and training for cucumber farmers in the Al-Mada’in region with the aim of raising their awareness of sustainable measures for environmental and health safety. This includes attention to the safe use of pesticides, personal protective equipment, and the proper disposal of agricultural waste, whilst making efforts to support farmers and provide them with information and materials that will improve their implementation and achieve agricultural sustainability .