KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES RELATING TO THE USE OF PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES AMONG FARMERS IN AYEDAADE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OSUN STATE

Abstract

Pesticides and herbicides could posed a number of problems to users if not properly used, It has been reported that pesticides and herbicides could lead to abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting as well as skin and eye problems and killing of beneficial insects. Pesticides and herbicides by design are meant to kill or harm living organisms. In Nigeria, there is dearth of information relating to farmers’ knowledge and practices relating to pesticides and herbicides. The knowledge and practices relating to the use of these agro-chemicals among farmers in Ayedaade Local Government (LGA) area of Osun State was therefore explored in the study. A cross sectional study was conducted among 400 farmers in Ayedaade LGA. A validated interviewer administered questionnaire which contained 59- point knowledge scale was used and scores were categorized as ,≤ 30,>30-40 and 40 above for poor, fair and good scores respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi square, t-test and F-test. Chi square analysis was carried out to test the level of association between knowledge of respondents and age at 5% level of significance. Respondents mean age was 47.5±10.7. Male accounted for 80% of the sample, 70% were married, 21% were single, 6% were divorced and 3% were separated. Some( 29.3%) of the respondents had secondary school certificate as their highest level of education, 21.8 % had HND, 15% had B.Sc. while 16.5% had no formal education. Majority (63.5%) of the respondents were Christians.Majority of the respondents had heard pesticides and herbicides which imply. More than half (57.2%) of the respondents never received training relating to pesticides and herbicides while less than half (43.8%) of the respondents had previous training on pesticides and herbicides. Most of the respondents did not use personal protective devices such as nose cover, eye goggle, and garment and cover boot when handling pesticides and herbicides. Educational intervention such as training and supportive supervision by farm extension workers are needed to address the gap in knowledge and promote adoption of personal protective measures among the respondents.