Use of Herbicides among Rural Women Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria
2019
F. C. Olughu | A N Asadu | Remigius I Ozioko | John Chukwuma Okoro
Abstract The study examined the use of herbicides among rural women farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, identified the sources of information and practices in the use of herbicides, assessed the knowledge level of the rural women on the use of herbicides, ascertained the practices of rural women farmers regarding herbicide use and determined the constraints to the use of herbicides among the women. Using a multistage sampling technique, 70 farmers were selected. The data collected using structured interview schedule, were analysed using descriptive statistics. Some of the herbicides used by the respondents were primextra (22.9%), force up (21.5%), raze down (18.6%) and tackle (18.6%). Majority (64.3%) applied herbicide twice in one growing season. The mean quantity applied was 8.5%. On the farmers’ knowledge level, about half (51.8%) of the women had moderate knowledge on herbicide technology while 30.0% had high knowledge and 18.2% had the low knowledge. The respondents practised cleaning and rinsing of sprayers after use (=1.31), using separate utensil for mixing herbicides (=1.39) and washing of clothes used or spraying separately from other clothes (=1.14). The perceived major constraints to the use of herbicides were: inadequate training (=1.12), inadequate awareness (=1.10), and high cost of herbicides (=1.07). The study recommends increase in extension contact for awareness and training on right use of herbicides. Keywords: herbicides, rural women, Abia State
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