Farm chemicals in Agriculture

Safety Measures for Handling Farm Chemicals

• Before Application:

  • Wear protective clothing (overall, mask, gloves, boots, helmet) to reduce poisoning risk.
  • Carefully read and follow the instructions on the chemical packet to ensure correct dilution.
  • Ensure all personnel using the chemicals are appropriately trained in handling them.
  • Prepare the correct amount needed to reduce waste and save money.
  • Use the correct equipment for the chemical in question to ensure accurate application.

• During Application:

  • Avoid eating or drinking while handling chemicals to prevent poisoning.
  • Spray chemicals on calm days to prevent wind carrying them away, preventing accidental exposure of non-target organisms.
  • Spray in the direction of the wind to avoid the exposure of yourself and others.

• Storage:

  • Keep chemicals in properly labelled containers to reduce risk of poisoning.
  • Secure them in a locked shed to keep them away from children, unauthorized personnel and animals.
  • Store in a well-ventilated area to avoid pollution and suffocation.
  • Store chemicals in tightly sealed containers to prevent spillage.
  • Store in high cupboards to prevent accidents and keep away from children.
  • Store them in a cool and dry area to maintain the effectiveness of the chemicals.

• Disposal:

  • Break up and destroy containers to prevent re-use.
  • Burn plastic or paper containers in a designated area.
  • Bury containers away from water sources to prevent pollution.

Farm Chemical Application Tools

• Sprayers:

  • Different types exist including handheld, backpack, knapsack, tractor-mounted, and aerial sprayers.
  • Used for applying pesticides and herbicides to crops.

• Dusters:

  • Used for applying dry pesticides or dust formulations.

• Foggers:

  • Used for creating a fine mist of pesticides, commonly used indoors (e.g., greenhouses).

• Granular Spreaders:

  • Used for applying granular pesticides or fertilizers to lawns, gardens, and agricultural fields. Example types include handheld, push, and tractor-mounted spreaders.

• Aerial Applicators:

  • Aircraft used for spraying pesticides over large agricultural fields.

Knapsack Sprayer Calibration

• Calibration Aim: Determine the spray volume (SV), the rate at which water is applied to a known area.
• Calibration Steps:
  1. Select and measure a sample area.
  2. Fill the spray tank with a known volume of water.
  3. Spray the sample area at a constant speed and height.
  4. Measure the water remaining in the tank.
  5. Calculate spray volume (SV) using the formula: SV = (Initial volume - Final volume)/ Test Area.
  6. Calculate the amount of spray mixture needed for a larger area by: Amount = SV x Area.