The use of safety devices in adoption of agro-chemicals by rice farmers in obafemi-owade local government area of Ogun State

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess knowledge and use of rice agrochemicals and also
the knowledge and use of safety devices and methods attached to the proper
application of the chemicals. The study was carried out among the rice farmers of
Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State, Nigeria. Multi-stage
random sampling technique was used to select the respondents for this study. The list
of rice farmers in the study area who were registered with the Agricultural
Development Zonal office was procured and the functioning ones among them
determined by preliminary field tour. One hundred and twenty seven functioning
farmers were finally randomly selected and data procured from them through the
administration of validated structured interview schedule. About two-thirds of the
farmers were not more than 50 years old, 87% married while 66% were literate.
About 86% were full-time small-scale rice farmers (69% growing less than 2.6ha)
while only 48.8% of these had fortnightly contact with agricultural extension agents.
Most of the farmers (72.4%) were land secure while about half relied solely on hired
labour. The knowledge level of agrochemicals and their level of use were found to be
moderately high. About 41% of them depended on extension agents as major source
of information about rice agro-chemicals. Other major sources were salesmen of
agrochemicals, rice merchants, radio and television. However, the knowledge level
and actual use of safety devices and methods were low. Age ( x2 = .266, p=.018) and
educational level ( x2 = 72.003, p=0.051) were found to be significantly related to
the knowledge of safety devices and methods used in the application of rice
agrochemicals. The literacy level of farmers need to be raised while extension agents
need to intensify their visit and campaign on the use of rice agrochemicals,
particularly the safety devices and methods attached to the application of the
chemicals.

Keywords: Agrochemicals, rice farmer, knowledge, safety

AJFAND Vol. 8 (4) 2008: pp. 428-440