Farmers’ Perception on Agrochemical Usage and Risk Assessment in Taraba State, Nigeria
ANDE MAMMAN *
Department of Crop Protection, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria.
C. G. MICHAEL
Department of Agronomy, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study assessed farmers’ perception on agrochemical usage and associated risk practices in Taraba State, Nigeria.
Study Design: A multi-stage survey design with structured questionnaire and 5 point likert scale.
Place and Duration of Study: Taraba state, covering three wards in each of the sixteen local government areas and one development area, between October 2024 and July 2025.
Methodology: Data were collected from 416 respondents across 16 Local Government Areas and 1 Development Area Council, using structured questionnaires. The questionnaire covered the Farmers’ bio-data, farm size, types of agro-chemicals, crop covered. The perception on the causes of overdose and risks of herbicide was examined on an seventeen perspectives. The critical mean of 3.0 was adopted on the 5-points likert scale used for the perception assessment.
Results: Cereal and tuber crops dominated cultivation, with maize (30.4%) and rice (29.4%) as major crops, while groundnut (46.8%) and soybean (18.2%) were the main minor crops. Herbicides (45.1%) and fertilizers (28.4%) are the most common agrochemicals, sourced from open markets (63.1%) and individual stores (27.4%). Nearly all farmers (98.1%) used herbicides, predominantly smallholder (<5 ha; 60%), and knowledge of herbicide application was largely obtained through friends (39.2%) and neighbours (26.6%), though extension services contributed (16.7%). While the majority (65.8%) adhered to recommended herbicide application rates, 20.0% applied below and 14.3% above recommended doses. About 89.2% clean up immediately post-application, and 69.7% used personal protective equipment. Overdose of herbicides was largely attributed to ignorance of recommended doses, distrust in recommendations and perceptions of high weed pressure with mean score of 3.96, 3.89 and 3.78 respectively.
Conclusion: There is the need for targeted extension services, education on safe agrochemical use, and regulatory oversight to promote sustainable and safe farming practices.
Keywords: Agrochemicals, herbicide, insecticide, application risk, application rates, environmental health