AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

ASSESSMENT OF AGROCHEMICALS UTILIZATION AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Samuel E. Esheya

Abstract
This paper assessed the utilization of agrochemicals among rural farmers in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to select 240 crop and livestock farmers from the thirteen Local Government Areas of the state through oral interview schedule. Data were collected on the types of agrochemicals, affordability of agrochemicals and factors that encourage/discourage its utilization by rural farmers in Ebonyi state. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistical tools. Results of the study show that majority of the respondents use herbicides (92.3%) and insecticides (84.6%) as both were the most affordable agrochemicals in the study area. Affordability, ease of use, reduction of human drudgery and yield improvement were the notable factors that encouraged agrochemicals utilization in the study area while high cost, illiteracy/ignorance, health hazards and soil pollution discouraged its use by some rural farmers. Thus, provided that proper safeguards are observed, the utilization of agrochemicals by crop and livestock farmers is a sine qua non for improved agricultural productivity in Ebonyi State and beyond.