AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
ISSN(Online): 2736-0040 ISSN(Print): 2695-1975
Abstract
The study assessed agrochemical use among cassava and pumpkin farmers in Akwa Ibom state. Specifically, the study described the personal characteristics of respondents; identify the various types of agrochemicals available to the farmers; and examined the effect of personal characteristics of the respondents on the level of use of agrochemicals. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 180 respondents for the study. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire and analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that cassava and fluted pumpkin farmers were within the active and productive age group, with mean ages of 47 and 41 years, respectively. The farmers were predominantly married, with fluted pumpkin farmers attaining higher levels (Mean=12) of formal education. Mean farming experience was 12.0 years for cassava farmers and 15.4 years for fluted pumpkin farmers. The mean household size was 6 persons for cassava farmers and 7 persons for fluted pumpkin farmers. Fertilizer was the most widely utilized agrochemical among the farmers, with 100.00% of cassava farmers and 88.88% of fluted pumpkin farmers reporting its use. Pesticide utilization was moderate, accounting for 22.22% of cassava farmers and 36.67% of fluted pumpkin farmers, while herbicide use was relatively low, recorded by 8.88% and 12.22% of cassava and fluted pumpkin farmers, respectively. The econometric results indicate that farming experience (p< 0.01), household size (p < 0.01), income (p < 0.01), farm size (p <0.05), and access to extension services (p <0.05) significantly and positively influenced the quantity of agrochemicals used by cassava farmers, while cooperative membership exerted a significant negative effect (p < 0.10).The study recommended that due to the negative influence of cooperative membership on agrochemical use, there is a need to reorient and strengthen farmer cooperatives to serve as reliable platforms for promoting best practices in agrochemical handling and sustainable farming.