PESTICIDE USAGE AND CROP PROTECTION PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS: A CASE STUDY OF THREE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN EKITI STATE

Abstract

Ecological and health challenges arising from the use of pesticides in agriculture are global issues. Crop protectionists and environmentalists are mounting campaigns for the appropriate and safe use of pesticides; while also advocating for non-pesticide approaches in pest and disease management of field crops. Few records exist on the usage of pesticides by farmers in Nigeria, at a time when the whole world is discouraging pesticide applications to field crops but promoting organic production of crops. It is pertinent to understand and follow up on the activities of farmers who constitute the bulk of the pesticide users. A survey of pesticide applications by farmers from three local government areas of Ekiti State (Ikole, Ikere and Ekiti-West LGAs) was carried out. A multistage sampling technique involving three local government areas, three communities and ten farmers per community was explored. A total of 90 farmers were involved as respondents in a structured questionnaire. The study revealed high adoption of pesticides, principally the organophosphates and Glyphosate by the farmers. Ninety percent of farmers in Ekiti-West LGA applied pesticide in response to pest and disease situations. The majority of the farmers involved in the study had little or no education. Twenty-eight percent had absolutely no formal education while 32 % had up to secondary school education. The majority of the farmers lack the technical expertise required for the safe use of pesticides without agricultural extension support services. Consequently, consumers of agricultural produce from these farms may potentially expose themselves to toxic levels of pesticide residues with its associated health risks because of inappropriate and unsafe pesticide applications.