INSECT PEST CONTROL METHODS AMONG COWPEA FARMERS IN SELECTED STATES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

The adoption of alternative pest control methods that are safe and ecofriendly may not be achieved without a comprehensive understanding of farmers’ current insect control practices, knowledge, preferences and perceptions. This study sought to understand factors influencing the use of indigenous, conventional and alternative insect pest control methods among cowpea farmers in Kwara and Niger states, Nigeria. The study described socioeconomic characteristics, assessed the awareness level, availability and use of the methods, examined preferences for these methods, investigated factors influencing insect pest control decisions, identified sources of information utilized; examined perceptions and knowledge of insect pest control; and identified constraints limiting choice of insect pest control methods. Data were collected from 384 cowpea farmers using a structured interview schedule to elicit information while a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Kwara and Niger States were purposively selected based on the preponderance of cowpea production in stage I. In stage II, two of the four agricultural zones in Kwara State and one of three in Niger State were purposively selected. Stage III involved the random selection of three blocks from the two zones in Kwara State and two from one zone in Niger State to give a total of eight sampled blocks. Thereafter four cells were randomly selected from each of the eight blocks selected in stage II; this gave a total of thirty-two cells. At the last stage, proportionate sampling method was used to select 384 farmers for the study. Data were analyzed with both descriptive (percentages, frequency counts, means and ranks) and inferential (Probit and Ordinary Least Square Regression, analysis of variance and chi-square) statistics. Majority (80.2%) of cowpea farmers are male, 85.4% are married with a mean age of 48.9 years and average household size of 7 persons. The mean farm size and quantity of cowpea stored is 3.6 hectares and 4.1 tonnes respectively. The findings revealed that farmers were most aware of the conventional method (93.4%) while 59.0, 83.0 and 40.0% of the respondents used indigenous, conventional and alternative methods respectively. Findings also indicate effectiveness, availability, quantity required, intended time of sale, time required to apply method, and time of application as the main factors for pest control. Extension Agents, input dealers, agricultural research institutes were the most utilized sources of information. Majority (90.4%) of respondents had knowledge of insect pest control methods while the risk of failure, uncertain outcome and inadequate capital were the major constraints. Probit regression revealed that age (t=0.21, p<0.01), farm size (t=0.41, p<0.01), group membership (t=0.193, p<0.01) and quantity stored (t=0.003, p<0.01) significantly influenced the use of insect pest control methods. Ordinary Least Square regression showed significant relationship between farm size (t=4.681), group membership (t=4.688), quantity stored (t=2.312), education (t=-2.196), cowpea farming experience (t=-3.419), frequency of extension contact (t=-.534) and intensity of use. This study has showcased awareness and use of indigenous and alternative methods which is useful as input into extension programme planning. The study concludes that use of the conventional method remains high despite awareness and knowledge of indigenous and alternative methods and recommends enforcement and sanctions by government. Training and licensing of input dealers is also recommended since results show that farmers are reliant on them for information. Extension linkage with research should be strengthened so extension staff can better address issues of risk of failure and uncertainty of outcome constitute barriers to use of alternative methods. Finally, the uptake and use of alternative methods should be incentivized as it is sustainable. Keywords: alternative methods, indigenous control, pest control decisions, synthetic pesticides, use intensity.