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INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review to find the association between pesticide exposure and the incidence of suicide in agricultural workers, focusing on analyzing the profile of agricultural workers, the countries with the highest number of publications and, especially, the link between occupational exposure to pesticides, the degradation of mental health and suicide among agricultural workers. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol using Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, where 33 articles were screened to compose the final portfolio. RESULTS: There is a strong link between pesticide exposure and suicide in agricultural workers. Smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure time, and marital status influence the decision to die by suicide. Brazil and the US lead the ranking in publications, demonstrating that it is not a problem only for developing countries. Organophosphates are the main pesticides used, and they degrade an enzyme crucial for the nervous system, which can result in mental disorders and consequent suicide in agricultural workers. CONCLUSION: There is a need for stricter norms for the commercialization and use of pesticides. There is also a need for providing training to agricultural workers on the application and storage of pesticides, and to communicate about the compounds and the consequences of pesticides to mental health.

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Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are a vulnerable population with a potentially high risk for hearing loss due to farm-related noise exposures. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent, and it is associated with an increased risk for injuries on the job, as well as communication difficulties, isolation, and depression. The México/US border region is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, however, no known studies have explored hearing loss among farmworkers in this area. This pilot study was a first step toward measuring and addressing hearing loss and noise exposure among this region's farmworkers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of subjective hearing difficulties among Yuma County, Arizona farmworkers. Survey interviews took place during a late-night farmworker health fair from 2 am to 6 am to accommodate local farms' labor schedules. Multivariable regression adjusted for demographic and work covariates estimated subjective hearing loss prevalence ratios. Among 132 farmworker participants, 36% reported they have or might have hearing loss, and 62% reported no hearing loss. Subjective hearing loss prevalence was lower in farmworkers who report not working in noise compared to prevalence in farmworkers who work in noise [prevalence ratio, 0.44 (95% CI 0.23-0.82)]. This report contributes to understanding the perception of hearing-related health and occupational exposures among farmworkers in the México-US Southwest border region. The information from this line of research will inform appropriate safety measures known to lower the risk of experiencing occupational NIHL.

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BACKGROUND: Low back pain is prevalent in workers' health and functional performance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a physical exercise program on low back pain and disability in fruit workers. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial assigned 44 workers (37 ± 9 years) to two groups. The experimental group consisted of 10 men and 12 women with an average age of 38 (± 9) years, and the control group consisted of 8 men and 14 women with an average age of 36 (± 10) years. The experimental group (EG) performed a program of strength and flexibility exercises for eight weeks, twice a week. The control group (CG) received minimal care, with a booklet with guidelines for performing exercises. The primary outcomes included changes in perceived disability and the intensity of pain evaluated by the Rolland-Morris questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Scale, respectively. All outcomes were measured at baseline and after eight weeks of intervention. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the within-group analysis, with a mean reduction in pain intensity in the EG and CG of -4.55 (95%CI -7.01 to -2.09) and -3.81 (95%CI 1.72-5.90), respectively. For disability, a reduction of -4.45 (95% CI -8.89 to -0.02) was observed in the EG and of -4.43 (-7.38 to -1.48) in the CG. There were no significant differences in the between-groups analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The exercise program was not superior to using the educational booklet. However, both interventions showed substantial decreases in pain and disability levels.

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Introducción: La hipopotasemia es un trastorno hidroelectrolítico frecuente, asociado a enfermedades sistémicas y multifactoriales, cuya forma aguda puede complicarse y causar la muerte, pero en su presentación crónica puede ser un marcador de nefropatía. Objetivo: Caracterizar el perfil del paciente con hipopotasemia no medicamentosa atendidos de emergencia. Métodos: Se revisaron los registros de pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de hipopotasemia, ingresados en el hospital en el período de junio 2018 a diciembre de 2019. Se colectaron datos demográficos, antecedentes médicos y evolución postratamiento. Se comparó con 108 pacientes sin hipopotasemia atendidos en el período de estudio. Resultados: Se encontraron 87 casos con edad media de 38,5 años. El 90,8 por ciento eran hombres menores de 50 años, de oficio agricultor (29,9 por ciento), con historia de exposición a plaguicidas y a altas temperaturas ambientales. La mayoría de ellos no tenía historia de enfermedad cardiometabólicas o renal previa. El 48,3 por ciento de todos los pacientes con hipopotasemia (n = 42) tenía creatinina mayor a 1,2 mg/dL y 63 por ciento tenía hiponatremia. La hipopotasemia fue moderada en 39 por ciento y severa en 12 por ciento, los hombres 4,7 veces más afectados que las mujeres. Respecto al grupo sin hipopotasemia y creatinina anormal, tenían mayor frecuencia de enfermedad crónica (92,5 por ciento versus 8 por ciento). Conclusiones: Se encontró hipopotasemia no medicamentosa en varones agricultores, sin enfermedad crónica, pero con datos de nefropatía temprana e hiponatremia, se sugirió la posibilidad de nefropatía mesoamericana. Debe establecerse una alerta epidemiológica regional y un programa de prevención y control(AU)

Introduction: Hypokalemia is a frequent hydroelectrolytic disorder, associated with systemic and multifactorial diseases, whose acute form can be complicated and cause death, but in its chronic presentation it can be a marker of nephropathy. Objective: To characterize the profile of the patient with non-drug hypokalemia seen in an emergency. Methods: The records of patients older than 18 years diagnosed with hypokalemia, admitted to the hospital from June 2018 to December 2019, were reviewed. Demographic data, medical history, and post-treatment evolution were collected. It was compared with 108 patients without hypokalemia seen in the same period. Results: 87 cases with mean age of 38.5 years were studied. 90.8% were men under 50 years of age, who worked as farmers (29.9percent), with history of exposure to pesticides and high ambient temperatures. Most of them had no history of previous cardiometabolic or renal disease. 48.3percent of all patients with hypokalemia (n = 42) had creatinine higher than 1.2 mg/dL and 63percent had hyponatremia. Hypokalemia was moderate in 39% and severe in 12percent, and it was found that men were affected 4.7 times more than women. Regarding the group without hypokalemia and abnormal creatinine, they had higher frequency of chronic disease (92.5percent versus 8percent). Conclusions: Non-drug hypokalemia was found in male farmers, without chronic disease, but with evidence of early nephropathy and hyponatremia. The possibility of Mesoamerican nephropathy was suggested. A regional epidemiological alert and a prevention and control program should be established(AU)

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A strong aptitude for making sound decisions on a farm is closely linked to favorable farm outcomes, and this finding has been observed across diverse types of farm businesses and geographic locations. Traditionally, research in farm management has addressed the drivers of decision-making and performance as separate entities; however, this article presents novel evidence on the relationship between farmers' decision-making and farm performance. We also examine this association in various contexts of farm decision-making, spanning the past decade. Our comprehensive review encompasses 24 empirical studies conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The analysis focuses on research topics, performance measures, and methodological perspectives. The findings reveal seven key research topics: farmers' management capacity; the influence of management and farm structure; farmers' emotional attachment to their businesses; personal aspects, farm characteristics, and institutional settings; the significance of farm recordkeeping; joint decisions in farm decision-making processes; and rational inefficiencies in farm decisions. Most studies employed conventional farm performance measures, including financial indicators, technical efficiency, and productivity indicators. Existing studies have predominantly used quantitative methodologies. We also identified research gaps and provide suggestions for future investigations in this field. Our results underscore the pivotal role of decision-making ability in shaping farmers' managerial capacity and, consequently, farm performance.

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PURPOSE: In Colombia, 98% of landmines occur in rural areas, where the main victims of amputation are farmers. The challenges these amputees face in their agricultural work remain unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the mobility and postural limitations these farmers face in carrying out their daily activities. METHOD: Forty-nine participants meeting the following criteria were interviewed: transtibial amputee, 18 years and over, performs agricultural labour and wears the prosthesis daily. Subsequently, the interview transcripts were subjected to a content conventional analysis and responses were organized according to the abstraction process to identify categories and subcategories of the problems. RESULTS: Main problems reported were walking on sloping, uneven and wet terrain, problems associated with the stump skin, squatting, kneeling, using vehicles or animals for transportation and carrying objects over 30 kg. Postures such as sitting, running, jumping, and standing on tiptoes were mentioned less frequently. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the prostheses worn by transtibial amputee farmers are not suitable for working on sloping and uneven terrain, nor for performing postures such as kneeling or squatting. These postures are very common in agricultural and livestock tasks in countries with mountainous areas such as Latin American countries. The recognition of problems reported by farmers transtibial amputees, may help to improve the design of prostheses so that they meet the needs of this population and decrease secondary injuries associated with prosthetic use. This information is useful to identify compensatory postures that facilitate prosthetic adaptation and rehabilitation for amputees.

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This study aimed to develop an educational gamification strategy to enhance the food safety practices of family farmers in public food markets in a city in Northeastern Brazil (João Pessoa, PB, Brazil). A good manufacturing practices (GMP) checklist was used to verify hygienic-sanitary conditions in the food markets. Educational game tools addressing foodborne diseases and GMP with information about the prevention of foodborne diseases, good food handling practices, and safe food storage were developed. Pre- and post-training assessments were done to evaluate food handlers' knowledge and food safety practices. Microbiological parameters of food samples were analyzed before and two months after the training. Results indicated unsatisfactory hygiene conditions in the examined food markets. There was a very strong positive correlation between "implementation of GMP" and "production and process controls" (R = 0.95; p ≤ 0.05) and between "production and process controls" and "hygiene habits of handlers" (R = 0.92; p ≤0.05). There was no homogeneity between answers before and after the training for the knowledge of family farmers regarding "prevention of foodborne diseases" and "safe food handling". There were improvements in the measured microbiological parameters of foods sold by family farmers after the application of the developed educational gamification training. These results showed the developed educational game-based strategy as being effective in raising awareness of hygienic sanitary practices, helping to promote food safety, and reducing risks for the consumers of street foods at family farmers' markets.

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Pesticide exposure and poisoning may rise the risk of mental health problems and suicidal tendencies. To explore the potential connection between chronic occupational exposure to pesticides and depression, anxiety, and suicide-related outcomes in farmers, a systematic review was performed. Systematic review protocol is available in PROSPERO registration number CRD42022316285. A total of fifty-seven studies met inclusion criteria: twenty-nine on depression or other mental disorders, twelve on suicide (two of them on both depression and suicide), and fourteen on pesticide poisoning or self-poisoning and death. Among the fifty-seven selected studies, eighteen were conducted in Asia, seventeen in North America, fourteen in South America, seven in European Union, one in Africa, and one in Australia/Oceania. Selected studies demonstrated an increased prevalence of depressive disorders in farmworkers exposed to pesticides as well as an increased self-reported prevalence of depression in this population. Moreover, previous pesticide poisoning increased the risk estimates for depression or other mental disorders as compared with chronic pesticide exposure. Severe pesticide poisoning and multiple poisoning showed increased risks of depressive symptoms compared with milder cases. In addition, financial difficulties and poor health were positively correlated with depression. Among studies on suicide, nine of them found that suicide rates increased in areas devoted to agriculture with intensive pesticide consumption. Moreover, studies demonstrate a higher suicide risk among farmers. The present review suggests more attention to the farmer's mental health and more detailed studies on occupational exposure to the mixture of these compounds.

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BACKGROUND: Brazil is one of the world's largest pesticide consumers, but information on pesticide poisoning among workers is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate acute pesticide poisoning among tobacco growers, according to different criteria. METHODS: This was a two-step cross-sectional study with 492 pesticide applicators. It used a 25 question pesticide-related symptoms (PRS) questionnaire and medical diagnosis for comparison with toxicological assessment. Associations were evaluated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: 10.6% reported two or more PRS, while 8.1% reported three or more. Furthermore, 12.2% received a medical diagnosis of poisoning. According to toxicologists, possible cases accounted for 14.2% and probable cases for 4.3%. PRS increased during the period of greater exposure. Those exposed to dithiocarbamates, sulfentrazone, pyrethroids, fipronil and iprodione exhibited more PRS. The number of exposure types, multi-chemical exposure, clothes wet with pesticides and spillage on the body/clothes were associated with acute poisonings. All criteria showed sensitivity greater than 79% for probable cases but only greater than 70% for medical diagnosis when compared to possible cases, presenting substantial Kappa agreement. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of acute pesticide poisoning is much higher than officially recorded. Trained physicians can screen for pesticide poisoning. It is necessary to improve workers' education to reduce pesticide use and exposure to them.

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Contaminated irrigation water is among many potential vehicles of human pathogens to food plants, constituting significant public health risks especially for the fresh produce category. This review discusses some available guidelines or regulations for microbiological safety of irrigation water, and provides a summary of some common methods used for characterizing microbial contamination. The goal of such exploration is to understand some of the considerations that influence formulation of water testing guidelines, describe priority microbial parameters particularly with respect to food safety risks, and attempt to determine what methods are most suitable for their screening. Furthermore, the review discusses factors that influence the potential for microbiologically polluted irrigation water to pose substantial risks of pathogenic contamination to produce items. Some of these factors include type of water source exploited, irrigation methods, other agro ecosystem features/practices, as well as pathogen traits such as die-off rates. Additionally, the review examines factors such as food safety knowledge, other farmer attitudes or inclinations, level of social exposure and financial circumstances that influence adherence to water testing guidelines and other safe water application practices. A thorough understanding of relevant risk metrics for the application and management of irrigation water is necessary for the development of water testing criteria. To determine sampling and analytical approach for water testing, factors such as agricultural practices (which differ among farms and regionally), as well as environmental factors that modulate how water quality may affect the microbiological safety of produce should be considered. Research and technological advancements that can improve testing approach and the determination of target levels for hazard characterization or description for the many different pollution contexts as well as farmer adherence to testing requirements, are desirable.

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ABSTRACT: The improper disposal of pesticide packaging wastes (PPW) has posed serious harm to the environment, including groundwater and soil pollution and even health concerns to the public. To address the environmental concerns and public health issues, there is a need to recycle the pesticides packaging waste (RPPW). Though small farmers in many developing countries have joined the cooperatives to reduce the production costs and increase the product premium, how these cooperatives improve farmers' RPPW behaviors is still sparse. The current study used data collected from 725 apple farmers in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces of China to explore the phenomenon empirically. Recycling decisions and degree are used to portray the farmers' RPPW behaviors. Firstly, the Logit model was used to analyze the effect of joining cooperatives on farmers' recycling decisions. Further, to address the sample selection bias, the present study employed the propensity score matching (PSM) method for empirical analysis concerning the effect of joining cooperatives on farmers' recycling degree. Results showed that joining cooperatives positively and significantly influences farmers' recycling decisions. If farmers join a cooperative, the probability of the recycling decisions and degree will increase by 20.30% and 27.50%, respectively. Moreover, it is also found that some other factors such as education level, environmental and public health risk perception, peer effect, and relationship network also significantly influence farmers' recycling decisions. Moreover, considering the differences in farmers' gender, age, and educational attainment, the study unveiled the heterogeneous effects of joining cooperatives on farmers' RPPW behaviors. The findings revealed that gender and age variables have noticeable masking effects while education level has a typical threshold effect. The overall findings provided insights for policymakers to emphasize the development of agricultural cooperatives, improve the risk and interest linkage mechanism, and build the RPPW system. These implications are also supportive for policymakers in other developing countries.

RESUMO: O descarte inadequado de resíduos de embalagens de pesticidas (PPW) tem causado sérios danos ao meio ambiente, incluindo a poluição das águas subterrâneas e do solo e até mesmo problemas de saúde pública. Para abordar as preocupações ambientais e questões de saúde pública, há a necessidade de reciclar os resíduos de embalagens de pesticidas (RPPW). Embora pequenos agricultores, em muitos países em desenvolvimento, tenham se unido às cooperativas para reduzir os custos de produção e aumentar o prêmio do produto, ainda é escassa a forma como essas cooperativas melhoram os comportamentos de RPPW dos agricultores. O estudo atual usou dados coletados de 725 produtores de maçã nas províncias de Shaanxi e Gansu da China para explorar o fenômeno empiricamente. Decisões e grau de reciclagem são usados para retratar os comportamentos de RPPW dos agricultores. Primeiramente, o modelo Logit foi utilizado para analisar o efeito da adesão às cooperativas nas decisões de reciclagem dos agricultores. Além disso, para abordar o viés de seleção da amostra, o presente estudo empregou o método Propensity Score Matching (PSM) para análise empírica sobre o efeito da associação de cooperativas no grau de reciclagem dos agricultores. Os resultados mostraram que a adesão às cooperativas influencia positiva e significativamente as decisões de reciclagem dos agricultores. Se os agricultores aderirem a uma cooperativa, a probabilidade das decisões de reciclagem aumentará em 20,30%, e o grau de reciclagem aumentará em 27,50%. Além disso, também se constata que alguns outros fatores como nível de escolaridade, percepção de risco ambiental e de saúde pública, efeito de pares e rede de relacionamento também influenciam significativamente as decisões de reciclagem dos agricultores. Além disso, considerando as diferenças de gênero, idade e escolaridade dos agricultores, o estudo também revelou os efeitos heterogêneos da adesão às cooperativas sobre os comportamentos de RPPW dos agricultores. Os resultados revelaram que as variáveis de gênero e idade têm efeitos de mascaramento perceptíveis, enquanto o nível de escolaridade tem um efeito limiar típico. As descobertas gerais fornecem insights para os formuladores de políticas enfatizarem o desenvolvimento de cooperativas agrícolas, melhorar o mecanismo de vinculação de risco e interesse e construir o sistema RPPW. Essas implicações também são favoráveisaos formuladores de políticas em outros países em desenvolvimento.

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This dataset provides detailed information on rice production practices being applied by farmers during 2018 rainy season in India. Data was collected through computer-assisted personal interview of farmers using the digital platform Open Data Kit (ODK). The dataset, n = 8355, covers eight Indian states, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Sampling frames were constructed separately for each district within states and farmers were selected randomly. The survey was deployed in 49 districts with a maximum of 210 interviews per district. The digital survey form was available on mobile phones of trained enumerators and was designed to minimize data entry errors. Each survey captured approximately 225 variables around rice production practices of farmers' largest plot starting with land preparation, establishment method, crop variety and planting time through to crop yield. Detailed modules captured fertilizer application, irrigation, weed management, biotic and abiotic stresses. Additional information was gathered on household demographics and marketing. Geo-points were recorded for each surveyed plot with an accuracy of <10 m. This dataset is generated to bridge a data-gap in the national system and generates information about the adoption of technologies, as well as enabling prediction and other analytics. It can potentially be the basis for evidence-based agriculture programming by policy makers.

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This work attempts to evaluate dermal exposure (DE) of farm workers to dimethoate after 4 h of routine application to a lemon plantation. Dimethoate was measured on the workers' clothes as well as in stratum corneum (SC) and in saliva. In vitro permeation tests (IVPT) were performed through rat, pig and human skin and pig buccal, esophageal and sublingual mucosas. The mean of dimethoate DE was 342.19 ± 487.14 mg/d, the percentage of toxic dose per hour was higher than the other pesticides, and the SC penetration factors ranged between 0.5 and 14.81 and 0.05-53.96 % for back of neck and arms respectively. In the supporting IVPT study, dimethoate absorption through human skin was 14.75 % and the default value in the absence of experimental data for this product is 70%. These results show that in family farming the deficiency of correct clothing during the application of pesticides leaves workers more vulnerable.

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This study is explored the reasons why greenhouse farmers take out and do not take out agricultural insurance as well as the farmers' inclinations toward agricultural insurance and the factors that affect them so that agricultural insurance can be improved. In this context, three districts of Antalya where greenhouse farming is intensively carried out, namely Aksu, Serik and Kumluca, were selected as the research location, and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 200 farmers, 100 of which had agricultural insurance and 100 of which did not. The farms were divided into two groups, namely, those with and without insurance, according to the data obtained. The potential statistical relationship between some selected features of the farms under study and the farmers with and without insurance was identified by chi-square test. Furthermore, the inclinations, views and opinions of farmers with and without agricultural insurance concerning agricultural insurance were evaluated using a Likert scale. Among the reasons why farmers take out agricultural insurance are insuring their crop, avoiding any potential loss, securing their income and presence of disaster risk. The main reasons why farmers do not take out agricultural insurance is the registration and share problems of their lands.

O objetivo deste estudo é explorar as razões pelas quais os agricultores de estufas contratam e não realizam seguro agrícola, bem como as inclinações dos agricultores em relação ao seguro agrícola e os fatores que os afetam para que o seguro agrícola possa ser melhorado. Nesse contexto, três distritos de Antália, onde a agricultura de efeito estufa é intensamente realizada, foram selecionados como local de pesquisa, Aksu, Serik e Kumluca. Foram realizadas entrevistas presenciais com 200 agricultores, dos quais 100 tinham seguro agrícola e os outros 100 não. As fazendas foram divididas em dois grupos, com e sem seguro, de acordo com os dados obtidos. A relação estatística potencial entre algumas características selecionadas das fazendas em estudo e os agricultores com e sem seguro foi identificada pelo teste do qui-quadrado. Além disso, as inclinações, e opiniões dos agricultores com e sem seguro agrícola, em relação ao seguro agrícola, foram avaliadas usando uma escala Likert. Entre as razões pelas quais os agricultores fazem um seguro agrícola, estão assegurando sua colheita, sua renda, presença de risco de desastre e evintando possíveis perdas. A principal entre as razões pelas quais os agricultores não fazem seguro agrícola é o registro e o compartilhamento de problemas de suas terras.

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This research evaluated farmers' decisions to adopt organic farming. It was first introduced by developed countries to minimize environmental impacts originated by intensive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to enhance production yield. Although, organic farming offers environmentally sound methodologies for crop production, but Asian farmers are reluctant to adopt organic farming. In this study, a survival analysis (SA) was employed to determine the reasons for and the time is taken by farmers to adopt organic agriculture. This research studied the farmers' goals, agricultural policies, and attitude towards risk, as covariates in the survival analysis. A multiple criteria decision-making method based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to evaluate the farmers' goals. Data were collected from agricultural farms located in three districts in Punjab, Pakistan. A questionnaire was used to collect empirical evidence. This study reported that the farmers' goals were crucial to their acceptance of organic farming; furthermore, young farmers and farmers with risk-inclined attitudes were more prone to adopting organic farming. The study also determined that change in policy and introduce special package for organic agriculture can encouraged the adoption of organic methods.

O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar as decisões dos agricultores de adotar a agricultura orgânica. Foi introduzido pela primeira vez por países desenvolvidos para minimizar os impactos ambientais originados pelo uso intensivo de fertilizantes sintéticos e pesticidas para aumentar o rendimento da produção. Embora a agricultura orgânica ofereça metodologias ambientalmente corretas para a produção agrícola, os agricultores asiáticos relutam em adotar a agricultura orgânica. Neste estudo, uma análise de sobrevivência (SA) foi empregada para determinar os motivos e o tempo que os agricultores levam para adotar a agricultura orgânica. Esta pesquisa estudou os objetivos dos agricultores, as políticas agrícolas e a atitude em relação ao risco, como covariáveis na análise de sobrevivência. Um método de tomada de decisão de múltiplos critérios com base no Processo de Hierarquia Analítica foi usado para avaliar os objetivos dos agricultores. Os dados foram coletados em fazendas agrícolas localizadas em três distritos de Punjab, Paquistão. Um questionário foi usado para coletar evidências empíricas. Este estudo descobriu que os objetivos dos agricultores eram cruciais para aceitação da agricultura orgânica; além disso, jovens agricultores e agricultores com atitudes inclinadas ao risco eram mais propensos a adotar a agricultura orgânica. O estudo também determinou que a mudança na política e a introdução de um pacote especial para a agricultura orgânica podem estimular a adoção de métodos orgânicos.

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In this Research Communication we investigate the motivations of Brazilian dairy farmers to adopt automated behaviour recording and analysis systems (ABRS) and their attitudes towards the alerts that are issued. Thirty-eight farmers participated in the study distributed into two groups, ABRS users (USERS, n = 16) and non-users (NON-USERS, n = 22). In the USERS group 16 farmers accepted being interviewed, answering a semi-structured interview conducted by telephone, and the answers were transcribed and codified. In the NON-USERS group, 22 farmers answered an online questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was applied to coded answers. Most farmers were young individuals under 40 years of age, with undergraduate or graduate degrees and having recently started their productive activities, after a family succession process. Herd size varied with an overall average of approximately 100 cows. Oestrus detection and cow's health monitoring were the main reasons given to invest in this technology, and cost was the most important factor that prevented farmers from purchasing ABRS. All farmers in USERS affirmed that they observed the target cows after receiving a health or an oestrus alert. Farmers believed that they were able to intervene in the evolution of the animals' health status, as the alerts gave a window of three to four days before the onset of clinical signs of diseases, anticipating the start of the treatment.The alerts issued by the monitoring systems helped farmers to reduce the number of cows to be observed and to identify pre-clinically sick and oestrous animals more easily. Difficulties in illness detection and lack of definite protocols impaired the decision making process and early treatment, albeit farmers believed ABRS improved the farm's routine and reproductive rates.

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INTRODUCTION: The aim of this research is fourfold: (i) analyze which countries have the most publications on suicide among agricultural workers, (ii) understand the factors that lead to either suicide or intent, (iii) identify the methods of suicide or attempted suicide, and (iv) propose preventive measures so that rural agricultural workers are not exposed to risk factors to suicide. METHODS: A literature review was conducted for the period 1996-2019; the Scopus, Lilacs, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Science Direct databases were searched, resulting in 44 articles deemed relevant to this research. RESULTS: Agricultural workers were considered to be workers who perform agricultural activities, as either employees or employers. Australia, China, India, and Brazil had the most publications, and the causes of suicide were mostly easy access to or exposure to pesticides, and socioeconomic factors, such as masculinity, conditions of poverty, and social isolation. CONCLUSION: Compared with other workers, agricultural workers can be a group at risk, with a great number of factors leading to suicide. Based on the available literature, proposals for suicide prevention are suggested.

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The Billion Trees Afforestation Project (BTAP) was launched in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan to conserve existing forests and to increase the area under forest cover. It also aimed to restore environmental conditions, promote rural livelihoods and reduce poverty. To improve the effectiveness of afforestation projects, it is essential to know the role of various factors and their impacts on community participation in landscape restoration. However, these factors and their impacts remain unexplored for the BTAP. This study identifies the factors that influenced rural household participation in the BTAP in Pakistan. The data were collected from participants and nonparticipants in the BTAP as well as from various officials. We employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the data. The results of the focus group discussions and the professional evaluation of the BTAP revealed that participant farmers enjoyed all the benefits of the project at the individual and community levels. However, the project provided only partial benefits to nonparticipant farmers at both levels. The household-level results showed that age, income from forest resources, a friendly relationship with forest department staff, a risk-bearing attitude and membership or involvement in village development committee activities had positive and significant effects on farmer participation, while disputes over land and forest resources, household size and experience with/dependence on livestock farming had negative and significant impacts on farmer participation in the BTAP. Our results suggest that policymakers and project designers should pay more attention to the factors that hindered farmer participation in the BTAP. The participation of landless and disadvantaged groups in the 10-BTAP should be increased to ensure equal and widespread benefits for all users and to ensure a win-win situation of sustainable management of the forest, the environment and livelihood opportunities for all types of forest users.

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This study proposes an innovative socio-hydrological modeling framework for the development of environmental policies that are tailored to farmers' attitudes and economic interests but also optimize environmental criteria. From a farmers' on-site survey, a behavior model is developed based on a modified Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The dynamics of the social and environmental system is implemented by coupling an agent-based model (ABM) with an agro-hydrological model for vegetative filter strips (VFS). A case study is conducted with farmers from the Larqui river basin, Chile to understand their standpoint on VFS to reduce soil loss in their agricultural fields and protect water bodies. Partial least square structural equation modeling is used to analyze the survey on farmers' aspiration and attitudes. It showed that the constructs added to TPB (behavioral morality, behavioral willingness, knowledge) had a significant effect on modeling the intention and behavior of farmers to have VFS. Based on the survey, the farmers were categorized into perceptive, proactive, bounded rational and interactive agents. An ABM was developed using the behavioral categorization, related decision rules, and utility functions of agricultural activities including the VFS implementation and management. The results of the ABM corroborate with the survey of the farmers. The survey supports the view that the decision on the width of VFS is not solely dependent on the utility generated and the reduction in soil losses but also on the behavior of farmers. This behavioral sociohydrological modeling framework is capable of supporting policy-makers in developing tailored environmental policies that might improve the acceptance of sustainable agricultural practices by farmers.

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ABSTRACT: Şanlıurfa is the province with the third-largest agricultural area in Turkey. However, it has only 0.62% of the total number of cooperatives in the country. This study aimed to determine the perceptionsof farmers in Şanlıurfa regarding agricultural cooperatives and the factors affecting them. The main research material was obtained through face-to-face surveys involving farmers in Şanlıurfa selected by a simple random sampling method. The sampling volume was determined with a 95% confidence limit and a 5% error margin. Multiple regression analysis was used in Stata software. According to the results of the research, 39.7% of the participants were cooperative members and more than half of them were not active members. Of the participants, 30.3% had a positive perception of cooperatives, 36.82% were undecided, and 32.88% had negative opinions. Age, marital status, non-agricultural income, experience, social security, farmer registration system, cooperative membership, and land variables positively affected farmers' perceptions. However, the variables of education, income, and union membership had negative effects on farmers' perceptions. No statistically significant relationship was reported between a farmer's perception and any of the following variables: the number of people that make up the farmer's household, the number of individuals engaged in agriculture and non-agricultural work in the family, and the status of the farmer's lease. Conceptual, local, cultural, educational, and structural problems related to cooperatives exist in Şanlıurfa.These issues need to be given more attention by the public. This research is the first study on this subject to be conducted in Şanlıurfa.

RESUMO: Şanlıurfa é a província com a terceira maior área agrícola da Turquia. No entanto, possui apenas 0,62% do número total de cooperativas no país. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar as atitudes e a percepção dos agricultores em Şanlıurfa em relação às cooperativas agrícolas e os fatores que as afetam. O principal material de pesquisa foi obtido através de pesquisas presenciais envolvendo agricultores em Şanlıurfa, selecionados por um método simples de amostragem aleatória. O volume amostral foi determinado com um limite de confiança de 95% e uma margem de erro de 5%. A análise de regressão múltipla foi utilizada. De acordo com os resultados da pesquisa, 39,7% dos participantes eram cooperados e mais da metade deles não eram ativos. Dos participantes, 30,3% tinham percepção positiva das cooperativas, 36,82% estavam indecisos e 32,88% tinham opiniões negativas. Idade, estado civil, renda não agrícola, experiência, previdência social, sistema de registro de agricultores, participação em cooperativas e variáveis de terra afetaram positivamente as atitudes dos agricultores. No entanto, as variáveis educação, renda e filiação sindical tiveram efeitos negativos nas atitudes dos agricultores em relação às cooperativas. Não foi encontrada relação estatisticamente significante entre a percepção das cooperativas por parte de um agricultor e qualquer uma das seguintes variáveis: número de pessoas que compõem a família do agricultor, número de indivíduos envolvidos na agricultura e trabalho não agrícola na família e status de arrendamento do fazendeiro. Problemas conceituais, locais, culturais, educacionais e estruturais relacionados às cooperativas existem em Şanlıurfa. Esta pesquisa é o primeiro estudo sobre esse temarealizado em Şanlıurfa.