Spinach growers' knowledge and perception about insecticides usage in Ahmednagar, Nashik & Pune

Abstract 
A survey conducted in the Ahmednagar, Pune and Nashik district of Western Maharashtra to study the 
insecticides usage pattern in spinach during 2019 to 2020. The survey revealed that majority of spinach 
growers relied on novel insecticides (52.95%) followed by conventional (37.84%) and biopesticides 
(9.21%). As regard awareness and farmer perception, 68.50% farmers knew severity of insect pest 
problems in spinach, nearly 58% farmers were aware about the natural enemies, 68.66% know about 
biopesticides usage and very less i.e., 26.66% growers of spinach know about the harmful effect of 
insecticides and they did not follow any precautions to avoid harmful effects. Majority of the farmers did 
not know about safe waiting period for harvesting of spinach after application of insecticides.