Assessment of Farmers Awareness on the Environmental Effect and Safety Implications of Agro-Chemicals: A Study of Rice Farmers in Abeokuta

Abstract

This study assessed farmer’s awareness of the environmental effect and safety implications of agrochemicals (A study of rice farmers in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Agrochemicals are pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers used for the management of ecosystems in agricultural sectors. Rudimentary variations on agrochemicals have been used for millennia to improve crop yields and control the populations of agricultural pests. The study is a descriptive survey; in which 15 questionnaires were formulated and distributed to the farmers in Abeokuta, Ogun using stratified sampling techniques. The result of the study showed that 73% of the respondents know that Agrochemicals are chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) used to boost agricultural production while 27% did not. Also, 87% are aware of the environmental effect of agro-chemical used in the farm while 13% are not. 67% know that Agrochemical mishandling constitutes one of the most severe farm operation hazards confronting farmers, their produce, and the environment while 33% did not. And 93% has ever attended any seminar/workshop on how to use agrochemicals on crops and rice productions while 7% stated otherwise. Also, 16% of the respondents stated that they have ever encountered any problem in the last two years while 84% stated otherwise. Moreover, 9 of them are properly informed of the risks and precautions involved in the application of toxic chemicals on the rice Productions while 6 disagreed with that. Furthermore, 47% of the respondents are exposed to agrochemicals during applications while 53% disagreed with that and lastly, 80% usually wear protective materials whenever they’re on the farm while 20% stated otherwise. However, pesticides continue to be a significant and growing component of modern rice technology. The relative importance of pesticides has increased despite the availability of alternatives to exclusive chemical pest control such as varietal resistance and integrated pest management (IPM). Despite the benefits involved in the use of agrochemicals, there are also health and environmental problems associated with its use. However, the farmers’ knowledge of the use of agrochemicals in Nigeria has been fraught with problems. Therefore, the protection of our crop through the control of pest and disease agents can make a major contribution towards increased agricultural productivity, the standard of living of rural community dwellers and national development.