ISSN 2375-088X
African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 5 (1), pp. 347-355, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Determinants of the extent of pesticide use in Nigerian farms
Idowu A. Adeniyi, Oguntokun W.F and Olusegun Ibiyinka
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Accepted 14 December, 2016
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
This study analyzed farmers’ awareness of European Union (EU) ban on using some cocoa pesticides and factors determining use of pesticides by farmers. Tobit model was fitted to the cross sectional data collected from 100 sampled farmers across six (6) local governments’ area of Osun State, Nigeria. Although majority (74%) of the respondents are aware of the EU Pronouncement, some of the banned chemicals are still being use by farmers. Results from Tobit estimates indicate that pesticide price is among the significant variables influencing the decision to use a particular pesticide or not. Major policy thrusts for devising pesticide use regulation, increasing farmers’ awareness of the harmful effects of using banned pesticide and regulating pesticide prices to an affordable level are suggested to ensure appropriate use of pesticides by farmers.
Key words: Pesticides; Cocoa beans; Awareness; Pesticide use; Tobit model.