The role of educational and extension programs on the use of environmental pollutants in vegetable and summer crop farmers in Shoushtar Township

The purpose of this research was analyzing the role of educational programs in use of environmental pollutants in vegetable cultivation in Shoushtar township of Khuzestan province. This research is quantitative in nature and based on purpose was applied research. The method used in this research was survey of correlative descriptive type. The population consisted of vegetable farmers in the Shoushtar township (N=850). The sample size was determined based on Morgan table (n=150). In order to determine the validity of questionnaire was used panel of experts. Also, to determine the reliability the Ө=0.8 was used. Based on the results, the use of pesticides in the region it is common to use such Dichlorvos (mean= 2.9 liters per hectare), Sevin (mean=3.45 kg per ha), Diazinon (mean=2.3 liters per hectare), Asetamipride (mean=1 kg per hectare) was high. Also, Phosphate and Nitrate fertilizers consumption level was very high. People who participated in extension classes, extensions exhibitions, multi-day training courses, scientific seminars and demonstration fields, they had a significant difference in the level of use of chemical pollutants at 1% level with those who did not participate. Based on the results of the factor analysis the most important factors affecting the use of excessive pollutants consists of four factors: low levels of cognitive domain and lack of training of quantitative and qualitative aspects, lack of government support for the use of alternative methods, lack of legal and administrative barriers and marketability and lack of assessment of product produced.