Adoption of Recommended Agrochemical Practices among Crop Farmers in Kaduna and Ondo States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the level of adoption of recommended agrochemical practices among crop farmers in Kaduna and Ondo States of Nigeria. It measured the perception of farmers on pesticides and their knowledge on the harmful effects of pesticides. A total of 260 crop farmers who have sustained the use of agrochemicals for at least five years were selected for the study using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using pretested, structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics (mean and percentages) were used for data analysis. The results obtained revealed that 33.1% of the farmers considered pesticides as always favorable (harmless) whereas 30% of the respondents perceived pesticides as sometimes unfavorable (harmful). All (100%) the respondents indicated that pesticides cause damage to human health. Furthermore, the level of adoption of recommended agrochemical practices (RAPs) was generally low (weighted mean =1.49) despite high level of awareness (weighted mean =2.24). This study recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Key words: Recommended agrochemical practices; Adoption; crop protection chemicals.