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Farmers’ Perceptions of Environmental Risks and Barriers to Agricultural Plastic Waste Management in Al-Kharj Governorate, Saudi Arabia
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Researchers surveyed fruit and vegetable farmers in Saudi Arabia to assess their perceptions of barriers to recycling agricultural plastic waste, finding that education level, age, and farm size significantly influenced whether farmers saw lack of recycling facilities and high costs as obstacles, with results pointing to the need for subsidized infrastructure and active extension program involvement.
In the agricultural sector, plastic is widely used for enhancing crop production and farm incomes. Fruit and vegetable production under greenhouses and tunnels makes abundant use of plastic which mostly turns into agricultural plastic waste. Understanding perceived barriers to recycling plastic and farmers’ perception of environmental risk associated with plastic is crucial in the formulation and implementation of effective agricultural interventions for promoting the recycling of agricultural plastic waste to sustain the natural environment. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess farmers’ perceived barriers to recycling agricultural plastic waste and their perceptions of environmental risks associated with plastic. Data were collected from fruit and vegetable growers situated in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, using a simple random sampling approach with the help of a pre-tested paper-based questionnaire. The farmers’ education level, age, farm size, and contact with extension offices significantly influenced their perceptions of the lack of recycling facilities as a barrier to recycling agricultural waste. Moreover, education and farm size significantly influenced their perceptions of high cost as a barrier to recycling agricultural plastic waste. In addition, age and farm size significantly influenced their perceptions of environmental risks associated with agricultural plastic waste. The study recommends that recycling programs through the active involvement of agricultural extension and environmental agencies should be implemented to promote the recycling of agricultural plastic waste to reduce environmental risks. The government should provide recycling facilities in the study area, enhancing their availability and affordability to farmers.
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