The use of safety devices in adoption of agro-chemicals by rice farmers in obafemi-owade local government area of Ogun State

This study was carried out to assess knowledge and use of rice agrochemicals and also the knowledge and use of safety devices and methods attached to the proper application of the chemicals. The study was carried out among the rice farmers of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select the respondents for this study. The list of rice farmers in the study area who were registered with the Agricultural Development Zonal office was procured and the functioning ones among them determined by preliminary field tour. One hundred and twenty seven functioning farmers were finally randomly selected and data procured from them through the administration of validated structured interview schedule. About two-thirds of the farmers were not more than 50 years old, 87% married while 66% were literate. About 86% were full-time small-scale rice farmers (69% growing less than 2.6ha) while only 48.8% of these had fortnightly contact with agricultural extension agents. Most of the farmers (72.4%) were land secure while about half relied solely on hired labour. The knowledge level of agrochemicals and their level of use were found to be moderately high. About 41% of them depended on extension agents as major source of information about rice agro-chemicals. Other major sources were salesmen of agrochemicals, rice merchants, radio and television. However, the knowledge level and actual use of safety devices and methods were low. Age ( x2 = .266, p=.018) and educational level ( x2 = 72.003, p=0.051) were found to be significantly related to the knowledge of safety devices and methods used in the application of rice agrochemicals. The literacy level of farmers need to be raised while extension agents need to intensify their visit and campaign on the use of rice agrochemicals, particularly the safety devices and methods attached to the application of the chemicals. Keywords: Agrochemicals, rice farmer, knowledge, safety AJFAND Vol. 8 (4) 2008: pp. 428-440