Agrochemical Risks Perception and Farming Households' Safety Precaution Practices in Ekiti State Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed agrochemical risks perception and farming households' safety precaution practices in Ekiti State Nigeria. It measured the awareness, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, the perception and factors influencing respondents' perception of recommended agrochemical safety precautions practices. A total of 120 farming households were selected for the study using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze the obtained data. Likert rating scale was used to rate and categorize the respondents' knowledge of agrochemical risks level and the respondents' perception of recommended agrochemical safety precautions. The results obtained revealed a low level of use and maintenance of personal protective equipment even in cases where awareness is as high as 84%. The respondents largely agreed with the recommended agrochemical safety precautions practices but disagree with observation of waiting period, not leaving pesticides in equipment overnight, avoidance of re-using or selling of agrochemical containers. The result of the regression analysis shows that age of respondents (p<0.05), level of education (p<0.01), level of income (p><0.10), membership of farmers association (p><0.05), and access to extension services (p><0.10) significantly influence the perception of the farmers on recommended agrochemical safety precautions. This study recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. ><0.01), level of income (p<0.10), membership of farmers association (p><0.05), and access to extension services (p><0.10) significantly influence the perception of the farmers on recommended agrochemical safety precautions. This study recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. ><0.10,) membership of farmers association (p<0.05), and access to extension services (p><0.10) significantly influence the perception of the farmers on recommended agrochemical safety precautions. This study recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. ><0.05), and access to extension services (p<0.10) significantly influence the perception of the farmers on recommended agrochemical safety precautions. This study recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. ><0.10) significantly influence the perception of the farmers on recommended agrochemical safety precautions. This study recommends that campaign for attitudinal changes on the use of agrochemical should be mounted by extension agencies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.