ٍSubject Review: The Status of Horticulture Protection and Using Pesticides in Gaza Strip

A field study has been conducted in Gaza governorates to evaluate status of plant protection and using pesticides by farmers. To achieve this goal a questionnaire of 31 questions has been prepared and answered by a randomly chosen sample of 48 farmers representing the agricultural density of each governorate. It covered the northern area, Gaza, middle region, Khanyunis and Rafah governorate. The study shows that most farmers who have been included in this questionnaire are characterized as having an educational level beyond the preparatory stage; they are either young or older more than 51 years. They also have crucial relationship with their farms. These farmers have not been given sufficient training on new techniques of plant protection and on the safe use of pesticides. In addition the study shows that many dangerous pests and weeds have attacked the fruit trees and also the agricultural extension agents play an essential role in extension and in direction of the farmer towards selecting the pesticides which will be used on crops, and most of farmers depends on chemical method in their attempt to control the plant diseases and pests, however few of them depend on alternative techniques. Although, they prefer other alternatives which are safer to the environment, the variations among farmers in terms of the quantity (dosage) used of pesticide. The study showed that farmers used high volume technique in spraying the pesticide, the farmers may spray the pests during three times a day (morning or noon or evening). They either use motorized Knapsack sprayer or tractor sprayer or, lever operated knapsack sprayer or manual sprayer motor. The farmers reuse the remaining spray solution to spray their crops without taking into consideration the quantity needed for each crop area. Although farmers get their pesticides from local market, they believe that such pesticides are dangerous, expensive, and ineffective. Furthermore, the study shows that some crops like, grapes, apples are considered among the most frequently sprayed crops with pesticides. It also shows that diseases, which affect these crops, constitute major economic losses for the farmers more than losses caused by insect and mites. The contrary previous crops caused in guava, almonds, olives, citrus, by insects and mites constitute a major economic caused for the farmers more than losses caused by plant diseases. The study showed also list of pesticides, which are used to control for each pests and diseases of different fruit trees.