Understanding Farm Chemical Use and Gender Roles: An Ethnographic Study Among Selected Strawberry Farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet

Abstract

Chemical application has become prevalent in many farming communities, resulting in many health problems among farmers and consumers, including environmental degradation. This study aims to look at the factors influencing the use of chemicals by strawberry farmers in La Trinidad, Benguet–the way farmers sense exposure to toxicities, and their mitigating strategies. In addition, the gender roles assigned to family members in relation to pesticide application. Ethnographic data were collected, analyzed, and presented thematically. Results show that economic consideration is the main reason farmers use pesticides, as costs are high and as strawberries are easily attacked by pests and diseases. Farmers become aware of the toxicity of the farm chemicals through eye or nose irritation, resulting in the adaptation of strategies to prevent toxicity, which include the use of protective equipment, proper hygiene, and disposal of farm chemical containers. However, lenient practices of these strategies are observed in their ‘safer’ idea or in the green-labeled pesticides, which show their exposure. In gender roles, women also apply pesticides because of the need for labor in the production. This study concludes that farmers are still exposed to farm toxicities, and this danger is relatively considered in gender roles in farming.