A survey was conducted in the states of Gujarat, West Bengal, and
Karnataka from October 2006 through January 2007. These states
were selected because of their intensive vegetable cultivation. The
selection of districts within each state was also based on the intensity
of cabbage and cauliflower cultivation. Birbhum and Murshidhabad
were selected in West Bengal. Belgaum, Kolar and Rural Bangalore
were selected in Karnataka, and Sabarkanta and Anand were selected
in Gujarat. Villages and farmers within districts were randomly
selected from a list of all cabbage and cauliflower growers and a
sample of 300 farmers was drawn from 59 villages from seven
districts. The sample size was predetermined to be equally large for
cauliflower and cabbage growers. Thus, the sample comprised 50
cabbage growers and 50 cauliflower growers from each state.
The data generated in this study were quantitative. A pre-tested,
structured questionnaire was deployed to obtain information on
pesticide use in cabbage and cauliflower production, the cost of
pesticide use, and socioeconomic characters that influence cabbage
and cauliflower production. Local agriculture students were selected
and trained to interview the farmers in local languages. Pesticide
names were verified by requesting farmers to show containers.
Images of insects were used to verify pest names. Questions relating to
production of cabbage and cauliflower were targeted toward the last
production cycle (i.e. after harvesting was completed).
Data from the questionnaire were encoded and entered into
Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheets. Data were then converted into
SPSS 15 and checked for consistency prior to analysis.