Technical Efficiency of Pesticide Application on Tomato, Chinese Cabbage and Cauliflower in Simpang Empat Sub-District Karo Regency

Abstract

Prior research by authors on the use of pesticides and their impact on 75 vegetable farmers in Simpang Empat subdistrict, Karo district, North Sumatra showed that 60% of respondents applied pesticides in excess of the packaging instructions. Respondents were also found not to use a complete protective device. Almost 70% of respondents have mild toxicity complaints, and based on blood cholinesterase levels are also found most respondents have mild toxicity. Pesticide residue test results also found 0.728 residues of chlorpyrifos and 0.321 profenofos in vegetables produced in this area. This led to continued review by checking the technical efficiency in the use of pesticides. The method used is a quantitative method with the Data Envelope Analysis (DEA) approach to analyze technical efficiency of pesticide on each commodity. The population is the whole vegetable farmer who grew tomatoes, Chinese cabbage and cauliflower at the time of the study. The entire population is used to be a sample of 35 tomato and cauliflower farmers and 20 Chinese cabbage farmers. The results of the study indicate that the uses of pesticide as production inputs on tomato commodities, Chinese cabbage and cauliflower are not technically efficient. It is suggested to farmers to use pesticide input according to the rules, proper dosage, on target, on time, the right way so that pesticide used is technically efficient.