Analytical study of Farm Management Practices among Maize Farmers in Benue valley of Adamawa state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates factors that influences farm management practices among maize farmers around Benue valley of Adamawa state with a particular notion on pesticide usage in controlling both predominant weeds and pests found in the study areas. Maize is among the most essential cereal crops that is widely cultivated in North Eastern Nigeria, it is cultivated and consumed as a staple food and is regarded as the second most cultivated crop after rice. However, the most common pesticides used are Organochlorine, Organophosphates and Pyrethroids. Hence, these pesticides are used to avert damages and loss of crops so as to increase yield and create food security for the nation for sustainable development in all life ramifications. However, lack of appropriate knowledge on good farm practices on pesticide management practices (GPMP) by the farmers in these areas of study was alarming. Therefore, a survey was conducted using structured questionnaire which was validated through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed. The adequacy or reliability was measured by Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin. Which the value of KMO is greater than 0.5 or 0.6 the sampling is considered adequate. The sample respondents are 292 maize farmers in four areas of the study which comprises Chigari, Dasin-Hausa, Gurin and Lake-Gerio all along Benue valley in order to access primary information on their pest management practices in maize. The analytical results indicated that 84.9%of the farmers generally lack adequate knowledge of good pest management practices and risk involved in misusing deleterious chemicals, it has been recommended that there is need for the government (state or local) to engage into campaign through promotion of a sustainable platform hazardous-free agricultural practices for all to reduce if not eliminate all life threatening chemicals (pesticides) that causes both acute and chronic diseases among farmers and consumers.  Therefore, the aim of this study was to harness a better understanding on the level of correct and safe pesticide usage among maize farmers in North Eastern Nigeria so as to create a sustainable agriculture and ensure food security.