Risks Related to Pesticide Use: Practices, Perceptions and Health Consequences in the Colombian and Venezuelan Páramos

Abstract

This research evaluates the practices and perceptions related to pesticide use, as well as its risks and health consequences, in the Colombian and Venezuelan páramos. The methodology is based on ethnographic work with 128 farmers and 42 external actors. The results show that: 1) farmers perceive and interpret the risks related to pesticide use, yet tend to deny them because they are the only alternative they have to continue their work, 2) there are numerous obstacles to changing practices, particularly those linked to the social-technical blockade and a weak presence of the state and non-governmental actors in both countries. Finally, this article suggests that the study of the perceptions of the risks related to pesticide use is useful for designing and implementing awareness strategies about this problem, adapted to the context of each community.