FACTORS THAT MILITATE AGAINST ADOPTION OF CHEMICAL WEEDING AMONGST FARMERS IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF FARMERS IN IDOFIAN, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined factors that hinder adoption of chemical weeding among farmers in Idofian area of Kwara
state, Nigeria, with the aim of proffering appropriate solutions for increasing agricultural productivity, reducing
drudgery and improving the standard of living of the rural populace. There has been a rising concern on public
health hazards, water population and environmental degradation due to unguided use of agrochemicals. A
structured questionnaire was administered to determine and generate relevant data on the socio-economic
characteristics, farmers’ sources of information and use of agrochemicals. Descriptive statistics was used to
analyze the results obtained and determine their possible relationships with subject matter. The results indicate
that 75% of the respondents were males with only 30% of them in their productive years, most of whom are small
scale farmers with less than 5-acre farm lands. About 60% of the respondents were full-time farmers, while 64%
had more than six (6) years of farming experience. Results identified high cost of herbicides as the main constraint
of its adoption. Lack of awareness of either the weeding methods or its associated hazards were also observed.
Other constraints include harmful effects on public health, environmental pollution and ground water
contamination. The study suggests that the Government should double its effort in improving the level of
awareness amongst farmers on the harmful effects of agrochemicals and the appropriate ways of their application
with the view to minimizing the associated hazards.