PESTICIDE USE AND HEALTH HAZARDS AMONG COCOA FARMERS: EVIDENCE FROM ONDO AND KWARA STATES OF NIGERIA

The study investigated the health implications of pesticide use by cocoa farmers in Ondo and Kwara States ofNigeria. Multistage sampling technique was adopted in the selection of 260 cocoa farmers in the study area. Datawere collected with the aid of questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit(MVP) regression model. Results from the study indicated that the cocoa farmers were getting aged with a meanage of 50 and 55 years and educational level of mainly primary school in Ondo and Kwara States, respectively.The predominant health effects experienced by the cocoa farmers resulting from pesticide exposure in the studyareas were skin irritation (70.7%), breathing difficulty (69%) and eye irritation (65.9%). The results of the MVPrevealed that total pesticide dose used increased the probability of the cocoa farmers experiencing eye irritation(p<0.05), skin irritation (p<0.01), dizziness (p<0.05), breathing difficulty (p<0.05) and stomach cramps(p<0.01), while reading and adherence to instructions on pesticide labels and manuals reduced the probability ofthe cocoa farmers experiencing eye irritation (p<0.05), dizziness (p<0.05), breathing difficulty (p<0.01) andstomach cramps (p<0.05). The study recommended that pesticide labels should be made comprehensible tofarmers with little or no education through the use of pictorials on how to use and apply pesticides. This shouldaccompany pesticide packages at the point of sales

Agriculture and eutrophication of freshwaters: a review of control measures

Agriculture contributes a larger percentage of phosphorus (P) to freshwaters eutrophication. Fertilizers and manures applications over a period of time lead to P soil build up exceeding the required needs of the crops. Excess P is transferred into the waters through runoff, erosion, leaching and artificial drainage which impairs water quality, restricts water use for fisheries, promotes harmful algal bloom of Cyanobacteria and Pfiesteria - which pose serious health hazards to livestock and humans. Many measures are taken toward the control of P loss from agricultural soil into the water. Tremendous reductions were achieved in the P loss concentrations from soil to water. However, these control measures could only help in reducing the concentration of particulate phosphorus (PP) which is associated with soil particles. Dissolved phosphorus (DP) still finds its way into the waters. Further efforts must be made toward reducing the P loss from agricultural soil into waters to the minimum levels.Keywords: Eutrophication, Phosphorus, Freshwater, Agricultur

Utilization of healthcare facilities among farming households in Yewa South Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the utilization of healthcare facilities among farming households in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 farming households and primary data were collected through the use of questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression model. The results indicated that the mean age of the respondents was 41 years with an average household size of five people. About 31%of the respondents had no formal education and farming is the main occupation of respondents. Most (45.8%) of the respondents travelled a distance of 5 km or less before accessing health care facilities. Primary health care was the major health care service utilized by respondents in the study area. Results further revealed that age, education, household size, income, distance to healthcare facilities, severity of ailments and belief were the major socioeconomic factors determining demand for healthcare facilities in the study area. The findings call for government at all tiers to establish more healthcare facilities closer to the residence of the rural areas to increase the farming households’ accessibility to these facilities.Keywords: healthcare, households, multivariate probit, trado-medical

Determinants of the effects of pesticide use on the health of rice farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study determined the main factors responsible for the effects of pesticide use on the health of rice farmers in Kwara State. Multistage sampling  procedure was used to select 120 rice farmers. Data were collected via the use of questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Findings showed that, the rice farmers’ average age was 38 years, most were male (87.5%) and married (74.2%) with an average family size of 10 persons. Majority (85%) of the rice farmers used pesticide frequently on their farms while 72% had been trained on pesticide application in the study area. The major health challenges faced by the rice farmers as a result of pesticide use on their farms were skin irritation, eye irritation, breathing difficulty, headache, food and water poisoning and dizziness. Pesticide dosage, farm size, weather, reading and adherence to instructions on pesticide labels, wearing of boot, nose guard, hand gloves and full PPE were the significant factors  determining the effects of pesticide use on the health of the rice farmers in the study area. It is therefore recommended that; rice farmers should be trained regularly on the importance of the use of full personal protective equipment (PPEs) during spraying to reduce their level of exposure to pesticide during application in the study area. Keywords: Pesticides application, health hazards, rice production, personal protective equipmen

Technical Efficiency in Value Addition to Cassava: A Case of Cassava-Garri Processing in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study examined the technical efficiency in garri processing in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data used for the study were obtained using structured questionnaire administered to 100 randomly selected cassava-garri processors in Epe Local Government Areas of the state. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale, gross margin analysis, stochastic frontier production function. Findings revealed that majority of the sampled processors were women with mean age of 38.7years. The benefit cost ratio of 1.31 implies that for every ₦1 invested in processing cassava to garri, a return of ₦1.31 and a profit of ₦0.31 were realised. The result of the stochastic frontier analysis revealed that costs of cassava tubers, labour and land had significant influence on garri output while age, gender, household size and membership of cooperative association were the socio-economic attributes determining the technical efficiency of the respondents in the study area. Given the profitability status of the cassava-garri processors in the study area, it can be concluded that cassava-garri processing enterprise is a profitable and viable enterprise which can drive high income generation for the people to earn a living vis-à-vis boast food production and employment opportunities in the study area as well as the state

Weather variability in derived savannah and rainforest agroecologies in Nigeria: Implications for crop yields and food security

Weather variability and its effects on agricultural and food systems are burgeoning global concerns. This study examined the effects of weather variability in the derived savannah and rainforest agroecologies, on crop yields in Southwest Nigeria, and what it portends for food and nutrition security in the region. The trends in the distribution of rainfall and temperature were analysed using the Sens method. The effects of weather variability on crop yield and inferences on what it portends for food security were determined using a stepwise regression model. The results revealed that rainfall fluctuations decreased the yields of cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) and yam (Dioscorea spp.) in the derived savannah; while a decrease in temperature may support improved yields for maize ( Zea mays ), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) and cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ). The increase in yields of cocoa ( Theobroma cacao ) and cocoyam ( Colocasia esculenta ) would be hampered by increasing maximum temperatures in the rainforest agroecology. Increasing rainfall and temperature would impact warmer conditions that support rapid crop putrefaction, flooding, droughts, challenging postharvest crop management, pest and disease proliferation, and ultimately, reduced crop yields. On the other hand, perpetually low rainfall and temperature conditions will cause poor seedling emergence and growth, seed and total crop loss. It is, therefore, imperative that effective climate adaptation and mitigation mechanisms be put in place across the agroecologies in the region.La variabilit\ue9 m\ue9t\ue9orologique et ses effets sur les syst\ue8mes agricoles et alimentaires sont des pr\ue9occupations mondiales en plein essor. Cette \ue9tude a examin\ue9 les effets de la variabilit\ue9 m\ue9t\ue9orologique dans les agro\ue9cologies d\ue9riv\ue9es de la savane et de la for\ueat tropicale humide sur les rendements des cultures dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria, et ce qu\u2019elle pr\ue9sage pour la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire et nutritionnelle dans la r\ue9gion. La tendance de la distribution des pr\ue9cipitations et de la temp\ue9rature a \ue9t\ue9 analys\ue9e \ue0 l\u2019aide de la m\ue9thode Sens. Les effets de la variabilit\ue9 m\ue9t\ue9orologique sur le rendement des cultures et les d\ue9ductions sur ce qu\u2019elle pr\ue9sage pour la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9termin\ue9s \ue0 l\u2019aide d\u2019un mod\ue8le de r\ue9gression progressive. Les r\ue9sultats ont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que les fluctuations des pr\ue9cipitations diminuaient les rendements du manioc ( Manihot esculenta ) et de l\u2019igname (Dioscorea spp.) dans la savane d\ue9riv\ue9e ; tandis qu\u2019une diminution de la temp\ue9rature pourrait favoriser l\u2019am\ue9lioration des rendements du ma\uefs ( Zea mays ), du sorgho ( Sorghum bicolor ) et du ni\ue9b\ue9 ( Vigna unguiculata ). L\u2019augmentation des rendements du cacao ( Theobroma cacao ) et du cocoyam ( Colocasia esculenta ) serait entrav\ue9e par l\u2019augmentation des temp\ue9ratures maximales dans l\u2019agro\ue9cologie de la for\ueat tropicale. L\u2019augmentation des pr\ue9cipitations et de la temp\ue9rature aurait un impact sur des conditions plus chaudes qui favorisent la putr\ue9faction rapide des cultures, les inondations, les s\ue9cheresses, la gestion des cultures post-r\ue9colte difficile, la prolif\ue9ration des ravageurs et des maladies et, en fin de compte, la r\ue9duction des rendements des cultures. D\u2019autre part, les pr\ue9cipitations et les conditions de temp\ue9rature perp\ue9tuellement basses entra\ueeneront une mauvaise \ue9mergence et croissance des semis, des semis et une perte totale de r\ue9colte. Il est donc imp\ue9ratif que des m\ue9canismes efficaces d\u2019adaptation et d\u2019att\ue9nuation du climat soient mis en place dans les agro\ue9cologies de la r\ue9gion

Environmental effect of pesticide use by cocoa farmers in Nigeria

Pesticide has been widely adopted in agricultural production for the control/prevention of pests, diseases and weeds but their use has significantly increased the concentration of toxic materials in the environment, with negative effects on plant, animal and non-target organisms. The study examined the environmental effect of pesticide use by cocoa farmers in Nigeria. It specifically identified the common pesticides used, highlighted the observed effects of pesticide use on the environment and determined the effects of pesticide use on the environment. A total of 390 cocoa farmers were selected from five geopolitical zones where cocoa is commercially grown in Nigeria with the aid of structured questionnaire and interview guide using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results reveal that the common pesticides used by majority of the cocoa farmers in the study area were cypermethrin, copper (1) oxide + Metalaxyl and glyphosate. The major effect of pesticide use observed on the environment were decrease in mosquito bites (76%), incidence of weeds (56.3%), beneficial insects such as bees (75.7%), earthworms (68.3%) and insect pests (75.1%). Pesticide dose used (p<0.05), reading and adherence to instructions on pesticide labels (p<0.01), use of pesticide cocktail (p<0.05), pesticide remnant (p<0.01), pesticide container disposal method (p<0.01) and equipment cleaning (p<0.05) were the significant factors influencing effects of pesticide on the environment in the study area. Cocoa farmers should therefore be trained regularly by both government and non-government organisations about right handling and safe use of pesticide.Keywords: Cocoa production, environment, lindane, logit regression, pesticide us

Technical Efficiency and Technology Gap Ratio in Cocoa Production in Nigeria: A Stochastic Metafrontier-Tobit (Sm-Tobit) Approach

The study analysed the technical efficiency and technology gap ratio in cocoa production in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 390 cocoa farmers from three zones where cocoa is commercially grown in Nigeria. Separate stochastic frontier models were estimated for farmers in Kwara, Edo and Ondo States, along with a metafrontier model to obtain alternative estimates for the technical efficiencies of farmers in the different states. Subsequently, a Tobit model was used to access the factors influencing cocoa production in the study area. Results revealed that, the average technical efficiency level was 0.685 for the pooled sample, 0.506, 0.837 and 0.713 for Kwara, Edo and Ondo States respectively, suggesting that there is substantial scope to improve cocoa production in Nigeria. The mean MTR values of 0.506, 0.837 and 0.712 for Kwara, Edo and Ondo States respectively, implied that Edo State was more technically efficient than other states in the study area. The mean technology gap ratio (TGR) value of 84.3% indicated that, on the average, the cocoa farmers in the study areas would have to close a gap of about 15.7% in order for them to be technically efficient. The study recommended that cocoa farmers in Edo and Ondo States could improve their technical efficiency through a better management using the available technologies and resources while intervention to raise technology that will help close the gap between the regional frontier curve and the global frontier curve through raising and distributing disease resistant and high yielding cocoa seedlings to the farmers should be adopted in Kwara State

Farm risks and management strategies among arable crop farmers in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examines farm risk and management strategies adopted by arable crop farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents for the study with the aid of questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale and logit regression model. Results revealed that erratic rainfall, pest and diseases were the major production risks faced by the farmers. Ill-health (69.2%) and low produce price (92.5%) were the major personal risk and marketing risk experienced by the farmers respectively. The major financial risks were insurance (86.7%) and lack of access to loan (83.3%) while the major institutional risk was lack of agricultural loan and subsidies (100%) from government. The major preventive strategy adopted by the arable crop farmers were use of agrochemicals and selling at reduced price. The most employed mitigation strategies were diversification (82.5%), on-farm sales (78.3%), esusu (77.5%), cooperative society membership (71.7%) and self-medication (70%). The prominent coping strategies employed were hired labour (77.5%), off-farm activities (73.3%) and borrowing (60%). The significant factors influencing the attitude of arable crop farmers to risk were sex, educational level of the farmers, household size, farming experience, membership of cooperative association, access to bank loan, farming system and off farm income The study concluded that the arable crop farmers were risk averse and recommended that efforts should be geared towards training the farmers on the appropriate management strategies with emphasis on the need for the farmers to adopt innovations that will enhance improved farm practices in the study area.Keywords: Arable crop, farm risk, management strategies, logi