Abstract

vast majority of India’s population (58%), depends on agriculture for their livelihood and a vital part of our agricultural production technology constitutes of Pesticide use. According to a international report in 2013 " India is the largest producer of pesticides in Asia and ranks 12th worldwide for application of pesticides”. In India ,Maharashtra has been the biggest consumer of pesticides in the last 5 years
Indian agricultural community belongs to the unorganized sector; hence they receive quite little in terms of healthcare and social security. They thus are very vulnerable to loss of income and unavailability of healthcare, despite belonging to an occupation which involves numerous hazardous possibilities.
Chronic exposure to organophosphate pesticides is associated with a multitude of ill health outcomes including polyneuropathy, dermatitis, behavioral changes, glucose intolerance & cancer .The Nervous system in particular in more sensitive to the Organophosphate pesticides, so monitoring of chronically exposed people may help prevent the onset of future neurodegenerative diseases.
The aim of this study is to assess changes in levels of Acetyl cholinesterase levels due chronic pesticide exposure, evaluate cognitive function and depression among farmers 
chronically exposed to organophosphorus compounds, and determine the association between them.
Using standardized questionaries, data will be collected about personal habits, work practices, awareness of pesticide exposure adverse effects and among individuals living in area of study, involved in agriculture repeatedly in direct contact with pesticides. Blood samples to assess biomarker (cholinesterase) will be taken and cognitive function and depression assessment will be done using MMSE tool and PHQ-9 / Beck’s inventory.
Data collected over study period will be analyzed and appropriate statistical tests will be used to determine results and draw relevant conclusions.