Pesticide Knowledge and Safety Practices among Farm Workers in Kuwait: Results of a Survey

The unsafe and indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture represents a major hazard to the environment and human health. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude and practices of Kuwaiti farmers regarding the safe use of pesticides. A total of 250 farmers participated in this study through in-depth interviews and observations on-farm. The majority of the farmers acknowledged that pesticides were harmful to their health (71%) and the environment (65%). However, farmers’ level of knowledge of pesticide safety is insufficient. Over 70% of the farmers did not read or follow pesticide label instructions, and 58% did not use any personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling pesticides. Educated farmers were significantly more likely to use PPE compared with famers with limited formal education (χ2 = 9.89, p < 0.05). Storage of pesticides within living areas was reported by 20% of farmers. When disposing of pesticide wastes, respondents adopted unsafe practices such as discarding, incinerating, or burying empty pesticide containers on-farm, or reusing the containers. Farmers also reported disposing leftover pesticide solution or old pesticide stocks on-farm or in the sewer. A significant number (82%) of the farmers reported at least one symptom of acute pesticide poisoning. Although farmers’ knowledge of pesticide hazards was high, the reported safety measures were poor. Comprehensive intervention measures to reduce the health and environmental risks of pesticides are needed, including pesticide safety training programs for farmers, stringent enforcement of pesticide laws, and promoting integrated pest management and non-synthetic methods of pest control

Bench Marking System at King Saudi University

Bench Marking System at King Saudi UniversityAbstract: King Saud University (KSU) identified eight criteria for selection of benchmarking universities to compare the values of KSU-KPIs. This effort has resulted in the selection of 12 benchmarking universities distributed on 5 geographic zones which are: United States of America, Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. These benchmarking universities are: Harvard - California Berkeley - MIT - Sanford - Illinois Urbana Champaign-Toronto - British Columbia - Cambridge - Manchester - National University Singapore - Tokyo – Monash.Several KSU academic and administrative units are participated in building the benchmarking system including: the General Directorate of Endowments, Deanship of Graduate Studies, Deanship of Scientific Research, Deanship of Electronic Transactions and Communications, Deanship of Development, Deanship of Admissions and Registration, Deanship of Student Affairs, Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Learning, Deanship of Skills Development, Deanship of Library Affairs, Deanship of Faculty and Staff Affairs, Deanship of Quality, Department of Measurement and Performance, and Department of Statistics and Information. Several mechanisms have been used by the team, such as meetings, internet research, correspondence, review of the annual reports of the benchmarking universities, and discussions. About 99 benchmarking universities were initially selected, and later short listed into 12. The benchmarking universities of the strategic plan of KSU (2030) are also included in the shortlist of these 12 universities. A model for benchmarking system was built and approved within which the responsibilities, timetable, procedures are determined. There are several lessons learnt from this experience that are: the appropriate choice of benchmarking universities is the basis for development, the use of quantitative methodology helps universities in the planning to close the gap between their performance and that of the benchmarking universities through formulation of specific and measurable objectives

Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Commonly Used Fruits and Vegetables in Kuwait

The presence of pesticide residues in primary and derived agricultural products raises serious health concerns for consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the level of pesticide residues in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables in Kuwait. A total of 150 samples of different fresh vegetables and fruits were analyzed for the presence of 34 pesticides using the quick easy cheap effective rugged and safe (QuEChERS) multi-residue extraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Pesticide residues above the maximum residue limits (MRL) were detected in 21% of the samples and 79% of the samples had no residues of the pesticides surveyed or contained residues below the MRL. Multiple residues were present in 40% of the samples with two to four pesticides, and four samples were contaminated with more than four pesticide residues. Of the pesticides investigated, 16 were detected, of which imidacloprid, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, malathion, acetamiprid, monocrotophos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, and diazinon exceeded their MRLs. Aldrin, an organochlorine pesticide, was detected in one apple sample, with residues below the MRL. The results indicate the occurrence of pesticide residues in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables in Kuwait, and pointed to an urgent need to develop comprehensive intervention measures to reduce the potential health risk to consumers. The need for the regular monitoring of pesticide residues and the sensitization of farmers to better pesticide safety practices, especially the need to adhere to recommended pre-harvest intervals is recommended