Influence of Institutional Factors and Attitude on the Use of Herbicides by Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the influence of institutional factors and attitude on the use of herbicides by farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. The study was descriptive and experimental. Multistage sampling technique was used. Thus the total sample size for the study was one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Data was analyzed and presented using percentage, mean statistic and standard deviation respectively. Hypothesis for the study was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression with a p≤0.05 level of significance. Majority (90.8%) of the respondents were members of different social organizations with thrift (isusu) society ranking highest (50.8%). Farmers in the study were concerned about the harmful effects of herbicides on the environment ( = 3.70) as such were of the view that alternative weed pest control should be considered ( = 3.78). Extension contact, access to credit and membership of social organization have significant influence on herbicide use. Based on the findings and conclusion, it is recommended among others, that policy makers, extension agents, NGOs and related organizations should consider the use of social organizations in group education of farmers.