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Assessment of Awareness, Attitude, and Opinion of Indian Farmers on Microplastic Pollution in Agroecosystems
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A survey of 310 crop farmers across 19 Indian regions found limited awareness of microplastic pollution in agriculture, with most farmers unaware that plastic mulch films and irrigation systems contribute to soil contamination — highlighting the need for farmer education to support microplastic mitigation.
The increasing use of plastics in agriculture is contributing to persistent microplastic or nanoplastic pollution, which contaminates soil and affects agroecosystems. Understanding farmers' knowledge and practices is crucial for mitigating this issue. This study examines the awareness, attitudes, and opinions of Indian farmers regarding microplastic pollution. A survey of 310 crop farmers from 19 regions of India was conducted from September 2023 to March 2024 using a random sampling method to assess their knowledge, practices, attitudes, and opinions. The findings highlight limited awareness about microplastics, with only 33.5% of respondents having prior knowledge, and 66.5% were unaware of microplastic pollution. Random forest analysis identified education as the most significant predictor of farmers' awareness and attitudes toward microplastic pollution, followed by age and gender. Additionally, 74.8% of farmers expressed significant concern about the impact of plastic pollution on agriculture and human health, and 90% of respondents expressed strong interest in learning how to minimize microplastic pollution. The study recommends policies that holistically address plastic pollution in agroecosystems, like integrating plastic waste management into the existing national policies, biodegradable alternatives, stakeholder engagement, market incentives, state-specific training programs, research, and outreach activities. These findings have key implications for enhancing environmental sustainability and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
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Researchers surveyed 430 Irish farmers and found that while 88% are concerned about agricultural plastic waste, awareness of microplastics specifically remains lower than awareness of general plastic pollution, and recycling rates vary widely based on plastic type and access to facilities.
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This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across India, an area that has received far less attention than waterways. The research identifies polluted irrigation water, industrial discharge, and plastic mulch as key contamination sources, raising concerns about microplastics entering the food supply through crops grown in contaminated soil.
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