| Peer-Reviewed

Gender Variation in Knowledge Level on Precautionary Measures against Pesticides’ Health and Environmental Hazards among Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria

Received: 6 November 2017     Accepted: 20 November 2017     Published: 26 December 2017
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The study was conducted in Ekiti State, Nigeria due to its predominance in cocoa production. It examined the variation in knowledge level on precautionary measures against pesticides health and environmental hazards among male and female cocoa farmers. 120 male and 120 female cocoa farmers were selected through multi stage purposive sampling technique from five Local Government Areas with predominance in cocoa production in the state. Data collected from the survey were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that male as well as female cocoa farmers in the study area had moderate level of knowledge to prevent them from the incidence of health and environmental hazards of pesticide usage, though male cocoa farmers had a better level of knowledge compare to their female counterparts. Majority (69.2 per cent Male Cocoa Farmers and 57.5 per cent Female Cocoa Farmers) had moderate level of knowledge. The overall result shows that majority 63.3 per cent of cocoa farmers had moderate knowledge in precautionary measures. This study also find out that despite that male and female cocoa farmers are knowledgeable about the precautionary measures of health and environmental hazards they seldom practice it, which in turn contributes to the incidence of the hazards. It was recommended that there should be continuous and regular training for male and female cocoa farmers as regards precautionary measures to be taken on pesticides usage to increase their knowledge base on pesticides hazards.

Published in International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15
Page(s) 166-173
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2017. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Gender Variation, Pesticide Hazards, Knowledge, Cocoa Production

References
[1] Deji O. F. (2011): Gender and Rural Development. Berlin Series on Society, Economy and Politics in Developing Countries 106. ISBN 978-3-643-90103-3 Pp 21.
[2] Mohammed, B. T. and Abdulquadri, A. F. (2012): Comparative analysis of gender involvement in agricultural production in Nigeria. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics 4 (8): 240-244.
[3] Ogunniyi, L. T. Ajao, O. A. and Adeleke, O. A. (2012): Gender Comparison in Production and Productivity of Cocoa Farmers in Ile Oluji Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Agriculture & Biology Volume 12 (5): 1.
[4] Annon (2006): National Gender Policy; Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development printed by Amana printing limited Kaduna. Pp 7-14.
[5] Ajakaye, D. O. (1977): An overview of the non-oil sector of the Nigeria economy. Central Bank of Nigeria Economic and Financial Review, 35 (4): 14 – 25.
[6] Famuyiwa, B. S. Torimiro, D. O. and Adesoji, S. A. (2013): Determination of Cocoa Farmers’ Knowledge on Environmental Hazards Associated with Cocoa Farming Operations in Nigeria, International Journal of Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship 1 (1– 2): 58—70.
[7] Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) (2014): http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/why-cote-d-ivoire-ghana-lead-nigeria-in cocoa-production-by-can/172858/.
[8] Fasina, A. B., Badaru, K. and Aikpokpodion P. O. (2001): Development of the Nigerian cocoa industry: current issues and challenges for research and production. Proc. 13thInt. Cocoa Res. Conf. 2001, 7 (4): 1367 – 1373. 215 African Scientist.
[9] Ndubuaku, T. C. N. Ojelade, K. T. M. Asogwa, E. U. and Anikwe, J. C. (2003): Reports and recommendations on the evaluation of Pulmic System PM 120 Knapsack sprayer for protection of cocoa farms in Nigeria. Tech. Rep. CRIN, Ibadan, Nigeria, 5pp.
[10] Asogwa, E. U. and Dongo, L. N. (2009): Problems associated with pesticide usage and application in Nigerian cocoa production: A review; African Journal of Agricultural Research 4 (8): 675-683.
[11] Mohit, J. (2008) Nigerian farmers want government to buy off banned pesticides Submitted on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 14: 35. http://www.topnews.in/ NCDC (2008) A handbook of the 4th National Cocoa day held in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Published by National Cocoa Development Committee. NCDC.
[12] Siddaramaiah, B. S. and Srinivas, B. V. (2010): Environmental Hazard in Cotton Farming Indian Perspective. www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/papers./b1.doc.
[13] Sosan M. B. and Akingbohungbe A. E. (2009) Occupational Insecticide Exposure and Perception of Safety Measures among Cacao Farmers in South-western Nigeria Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 64 (3).
[14] Lawal, B. O. Torimiro, D. O. Banjo, A. D. and. Joda, A. O. (2005): Operational Habits and Health Hazards Associated with Pesticide Usage by Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria: Lessons for Extension Work. Journal of Human Ecology. 17 (3): 191-195.
[15] Asogwa, E. U. (2006): Preview of rational pesticide use protocols. Extracts from round table discussions at the NCDC-sponsored farmers field school master trainers and supervisors training workshop. CRIN Ibadan, June 5-16, 2006. p. 12.
[16] Asogwa E. U. (2008): Crop protection practices for cashew and cocoa production in Nigeria. Paper presented at the National Training Workshop for Farmers Development Union (FADU) Officials on Cocoa and Cashew Production in Nigeria. Ibadan, May 8-9, 2008. 43slides.
[17] Ogunjimi, S. I. and Farinde, A. J. (2012): Farmers’ Knowledge Level of Precautionary Measures in Agro-Chemicals Usage on Cocoa Production in Osun and Edo States, Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry. 2 (4): 186-194.
[18] Nigeria population commission (NPC) (2006): Population census of National Republic of Nigeria: http://www.population.gov.ng/index.php/ekiti-state.
[19] Enete, A. A. and Amusa, T. A. 2010: Determinants of Women’s Contribution to Farming Decisions in Cocoa Based Agroforestry Households of Ekiti State, Nigeria “Field Actions Science Reports.” 4 (October 2012): 0–6.
[20] Ekong. E. E. (2003): Introduction to Rural Sociology; Dove educational publisher ISBN 978-36932-0-4.
[21] Yusuf O. J. (2013). Assessment of Farm Waste Utilization among Rural Dwellers in Osun State, Nigeria. An Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
[22] Owolabi, K. E, and J. O. Okunlola. 2015. “Farmers ’ Utilization of Indigenous Knowledge Techniques for the Control of Cocoa Pests and Diseases in Ekiti State, Nigeria.” 4 (3): 247–58.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Olowoyo Olamide Ahmed. (2017). Gender Variation in Knowledge Level on Precautionary Measures against Pesticides’ Health and Environmental Hazards among Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria. International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences, 3(6), 166-173. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Olowoyo Olamide Ahmed. Gender Variation in Knowledge Level on Precautionary Measures against Pesticides’ Health and Environmental Hazards among Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria. Int. J. Appl. Agric. Sci. 2017, 3(6), 166-173. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Olowoyo Olamide Ahmed. Gender Variation in Knowledge Level on Precautionary Measures against Pesticides’ Health and Environmental Hazards among Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria. Int J Appl Agric Sci. 2017;3(6):166-173. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15,
      author = {Olowoyo Olamide Ahmed},
      title = {Gender Variation in Knowledge Level on Precautionary Measures against Pesticides’ Health and Environmental Hazards among Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria},
      journal = {International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {166-173},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijaas.20170306.15},
      abstract = {The study was conducted in Ekiti State, Nigeria due to its predominance in cocoa production. It examined the variation in knowledge level on precautionary measures against pesticides health and environmental hazards among male and female cocoa farmers. 120 male and 120 female cocoa farmers were selected through multi stage purposive sampling technique from five Local Government Areas with predominance in cocoa production in the state. Data collected from the survey were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that male as well as female cocoa farmers in the study area had moderate level of knowledge to prevent them from the incidence of health and environmental hazards of pesticide usage, though male cocoa farmers had a better level of knowledge compare to their female counterparts. Majority (69.2 per cent Male Cocoa Farmers and 57.5 per cent Female Cocoa Farmers) had moderate level of knowledge. The overall result shows that majority 63.3 per cent of cocoa farmers had moderate knowledge in precautionary measures. This study also find out that despite that male and female cocoa farmers are knowledgeable about the precautionary measures of health and environmental hazards they seldom practice it, which in turn contributes to the incidence of the hazards. It was recommended that there should be continuous and regular training for male and female cocoa farmers as regards precautionary measures to be taken on pesticides usage to increase their knowledge base on pesticides hazards.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Gender Variation in Knowledge Level on Precautionary Measures against Pesticides’ Health and Environmental Hazards among Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria
    AU  - Olowoyo Olamide Ahmed
    Y1  - 2017/12/26
    PY  - 2017
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15
    T2  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
    JF  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
    JO  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
    SP  - 166
    EP  - 173
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2469-7885
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.15
    AB  - The study was conducted in Ekiti State, Nigeria due to its predominance in cocoa production. It examined the variation in knowledge level on precautionary measures against pesticides health and environmental hazards among male and female cocoa farmers. 120 male and 120 female cocoa farmers were selected through multi stage purposive sampling technique from five Local Government Areas with predominance in cocoa production in the state. Data collected from the survey were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that male as well as female cocoa farmers in the study area had moderate level of knowledge to prevent them from the incidence of health and environmental hazards of pesticide usage, though male cocoa farmers had a better level of knowledge compare to their female counterparts. Majority (69.2 per cent Male Cocoa Farmers and 57.5 per cent Female Cocoa Farmers) had moderate level of knowledge. The overall result shows that majority 63.3 per cent of cocoa farmers had moderate knowledge in precautionary measures. This study also find out that despite that male and female cocoa farmers are knowledgeable about the precautionary measures of health and environmental hazards they seldom practice it, which in turn contributes to the incidence of the hazards. It was recommended that there should be continuous and regular training for male and female cocoa farmers as regards precautionary measures to be taken on pesticides usage to increase their knowledge base on pesticides hazards.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria

  • Sections