Indigenous methods of controlling pests among rice farmers in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara state, Nigeria

Considering the negative effects of the continuous dependence on chemical, it is therefore necessary to look into the potentials in local experiences and practices adopted by rice farmers to control pests. The objective of the study is to assess the indigenous methods usedto control pests of rice by farmers in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Simple random technique was used to select one hundred and five (105) rice farmers. Data were collected using interview schedule and analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Pearson correlation. The finding showed that majority (82.9%) of the rice farmers were male, close to two-third (63.8%) fell above 40 years of age and almost all (97.1%) were married, more than half (59.1) had no formal education with farm size of not less than 5 acres. The results also showed that some of the indigenous methods of controlling pests of rice are:by use of raw fruits of pawpaw, wood ash, light trap, exudates substances, frightening sounds, torchlight batteries, cassette tape and use of wire-mesh. An overwhelming number (98.1%) of the respondents attested that the indigenous control methods were effective but very low percentage (1.9%) of the farmers often used it and majority (81.0%) of them obtained information about it from their parents, grand parents and relations. The results further showed that there were significant relationship between educational level and the use of indigenous control methods (r=-0.411, P=0.000) but there were no relationship between age (r=0.067, P=0.496), farm size (r=0.028, P=0.773) and the use of indigenous control methods. Few numbers of rice farmers employed indigenous control method but an overwhelming number of them attested to its effectiveness. Therefore, development agents need to recognize it, value it, appreciate it in their interaction with the local communities and also incorporate it in their approaches.Key words: Pests, measure, indigenous knowledge, Nigeria