Assessment of Pesticide Use Practices Among Vegetable Farmers in Kano Metropolis, North West Nigeria

Vegetables constitute a critical component of the Nigerian diet and economy, and their production in Kano State is a major source of livelihood for thousands of smallholder farmers. However, indiscriminate pesticide application poses serious threats to food safety, human health, and environmental sustainability. This study assesses the pesticide use practices of vegetable farmers in Kano Metropolis, with emphasis on farmer awareness, frequency of application, protective equipment usage, and adherence to pre-harvest intervals. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 randomly selected farmers across three local government areas in Kano State. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze the data. Findings reveal that a majority of the respondents apply pesticides without reading labels and do not use personal protective equipment. Most farmers reported purchasing pesticides from open markets without professional guidance. The study concludes that pesticide misuse is widespread among vegetable farmers in the study area, driven largely by poor extension service delivery and inadequate regulatory enforcement. Recommendations include intensifying farmer education on integrated pest management, strengthening pesticide regulatory oversight, and improving access to certified agrochemical dealers. These findings align with recent literature on pesticide governance gaps in sub-Saharan Africa and offer a baseline for future intervention studies in North West Nigeria. Keywords: pesticide use, vegetable farmers, food safety, Kano State, integrated pest management