BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:Linklings LLC
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:19700308T020000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=3;BYDAY=2SU
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:19701101T020000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=11;BYDAY=1SU
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20251016T135138Z
LOCATION:Riverside East
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T183000
UID:HFESAM_ASPIRE 2025_sess131_POST109@linklings.com
SUMMARY:Occupational Risk of Farmers in Trinidad & Guyana: Qualitative Stu
 dy with Farmers & Agriculture Ministry
DESCRIPTION:Barry Parasram and Avishek Choudhury (West Virginia University
 )\n\nPesticide misuse poses a significant occupational hazard for farmers 
 in low- and middle-income countries. This qualitative study explores the p
 erceptions of occupational health and safety among farmers and officials f
 rom the Ministries of Agriculture in Trinidad and Guyana—two countries whe
 re farmers often feel excluded from agriculture-related policymaking. Semi
 -structured interviews were conducted with 64 participants using purposive
  sampling, including both farmers and ministry officials. Through thematic
  analysis, seven key themes were identified, highlighting a disconnect bet
 ween institutional and field-level perspectives. While agriculture officia
 ls attributed safety challenges to traditional mindsets and lack of compli
 ance, farmers emphasized practical barriers such as discomfort with protec
 tive equipment, insufficient training, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Co
 ntrasting views also emerged regarding chemical safety, training adequacy,
  and the role of policy. Both groups acknowledged systemic shortcomings, p
 articularly the absence of crop insurance and quality control. However, fa
 rmers stressed immediate vulnerabilities, whereas officials focused on lon
 g-term reforms. The findings underscore the need for a participatory, cont
 ext-sensitive approach to agricultural safety. We recommend strengthening 
 stakeholder engagement, policy enforcement, and farmer education to bridge
  the gap between policy and practice. A coordinated, inclusive safety cult
 ure—grounded in mutual understanding—can support the health, livelihoods, 
 and sustainability of farming communities in Trinidad and Guyana.\n\n
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR