Factors Influencing Herbicide Usage in Kebbi State, Nigeria

This research work assessed the factors influencing herbicides usage in Kebbi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three ndred hundred and forty (340) farmers who use herbicides and 340 non-users of herbicides in the study area. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire. Text books, journals and other conference materials were used as reference materials for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentage and mean. Similarly inferential statistics involving binary logistic regression analysis was also used for data analysis. The result revealed that majority (58.8%) of the respondents were within the age range of 40 – 49 years. Majority (73.5%) of the respondents were males. Majority (60.2%) of the respondents had non-formal education, followed by (26.5%) of them who had Qur’anic education,(7.4%) had primary education, Majority (58.5%) of the respondent had farm size of 5 – 9 hectares. Majority (73.5%) of the respondents having an income level from farming between 50,000 -150,000. 16.2% had 270,000 – 370,000 as their source of income from farming, 7.4% had income level from farming between 380,000 – 480,000. Majority (73.5%) of the respondents had trading as other sources of income. 16.2% had fishing as their other source of income, 7.4% had mining as their other source of income. Majority (59.4%) had 16 – 20 years of farming experience. Results of binary Logistic Regression Analysis indicated pseudo R2 – values of 0.99, implying that 99% change in farmers who use herbicides was explained by Independent Variables (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5,X6,X7, X8 and X9) included in the equation. From the finding of the study, the research work concluded that most farmers in the study area were unaware of the health effect of herbicides and therefore, recommended that farmers in the study area should be educated on the health effect of herbicides and should be well trained on the appropriate use and application by the Government and NGOs.