SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF MAIZE FARMERS ON THE SAFE USE OF AGROCHEMICAL IN AGAIE AND BIDA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study accessed the Socioeconomic factors influencing the knowledge and attitude of Maize farmers on the safe use of agrochemical in Zone I, Niger State, Nigeria. To achieve the study objectives, 4-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 110 maize farmers for the study. Data were collected using questionnaire, complimented with interview schedules, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Probit regression model. Based on the findings of the research, it was discovered that the mean age of the respondents were 42 years, 85% of the maize farmers were male, 89% were married, mean number of dependents of the maize farmers was 8. The mean of total years spent in school was 10 years, about 95% had no training on agrochemical handing while 92% had no extension contact. About 24% of the maize farmers use agrochemical to increase yield, with fertilizer as one of the major agrochemicals used. More so, 24% of the respondents used safety face mask, 29% claimed that Personal Protective Equipment use slows one down, while on knowledge and attitude, knowledge that agrochemical use improves crop yield had mean score of 2.05 and knowledge of agrochemical hazards had mean score of 2.01. Sex, marital status, level of education and farm size were positively significant while maize farming experience, source of capital and amount of credit where negatively significant at different probability levels. The study recommends that trainings on safe agrochemical use should be organized for farmers by extension agencies, since experience does not increase awareness.