Examination of the economic and environmental factors affecting pesticides handling and usage and its effects on man and the environment in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the Economic and Environmental Factors Influencing Pesticides Handling and Usage in Danko/Wasagu Local Government area of Kebbi State, Nigeria. Structured Questionnaires were used to obtained information from the respondents. Descriptive statistics comprising frequency distribution tables and percentages, Mean and Ranking were used for Data Analysis. The result of the study showed that majority of the respondents (90%) were male while female formed the minority in pesticide usage with only (10%). The study also showed that all the respondents (100%) were married and engaged in agricultural activities. The study further revealed that all the respondents never had any formal training on the use of pesticide from either governmental or non -governmental organizations. The research study also found out that all (100%) of the respondents were not aware of pesticide effects on man and environment. On the economic and environmental factors affecting pesticide handling and usage, it was found out that, the effect of pesticide on man and the environment is in the form of Nausea, Dizziness, Diarrhea, Respiratory Difficulty, Skin Irritation, Rashes, and Fever, Peeling of the Skin, Vomiting, and Headache. These were discovered to be the serious effects of pesticides on man. However, it was found out that the effects of pesticides on the environment were in the form of pollution, annihilation of the micro fauna and flora and reduction in land viability on the occasion of repeated usage over time, pollution of water bodies, pollution of the atmosphere, depletion of plat population etc. It is concluded that respondents were posed with serious challenges on pesticide usage and handling. It is therefore recommended that appropriate authorities should enforce the use of protective clothing, appropriate equipment and correct handling practices when using pesticides. Existing pesticide regulations and monitoring policies should be enforced. Government should also intensify efforts at registering and controlling distribution of pesticides and banning hazardous ones. It should also enforce the making of less toxic pesticides available to farmers.