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

Abstract

This study assessed the level of adoption of recommended practices of agrochemicals among crop farers 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 multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics (mean and percentages) was used for data analysis. Data was collected using pretested, structured interview schedule. The results obtained revealed that the perception of 33.1% of the farmers was considering pesticides as always good whereas 30% of the farmers perceived pesticides as sometimes harmful. All (100%) 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 therefore, recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Â Â

Keywords

• Recommended agrochemical practices
• Adoption
• crop protection chemicals.