Assessment of Pesticide Use Practices and Safety Among Vegetable Farmers in Ogun State

This study assesses pesticide use practices and safety compliance among smallholder vegetable farmers in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. Vegetable production in Ogun State involves intensive pesticide use to manage pests and diseases, but inappropriate application practices create risks for farmer health, consumer safety, and environmental contamination. Understanding current pesticide management practices is essential for designing targeted training and regulatory interventions. This study uses a descriptive survey design, collecting data from 180 vegetable farmers in Ijebu North, Sagamu, and Obafemi Owode local government areas through structured interviews. Variables assessed include pesticide types used, application frequency, pre-harvest intervals observed, personal protective equipment use, storage practices, and disposal methods. A knowledge test assesses pesticide safety awareness. Findings reveal that 78 percent of sampled farmers apply pesticides more frequently than label recommendations, with 45 percent applying within 3 days of harvest. Only 12 percent consistently use protective gloves and masks during application. Highly hazardous WHO Class I pesticides including chlorpyrifos and endosulfan are used by 34 percent of farmers despite regulatory restrictions. Pesticide containers are disposed of by burning in 52 percent of cases. Knowledge scores on safe use practices average 38 percent. The study concludes that pesticide management in Ogun State vegetable farming poses significant health and food safety risks. It recommends integrated pest management training, safer product promotion, and enforcement of pre-harvest interval compliance through market sampling programmes.

Keywords: pesticide use, vegetable farming, Ogun State, food safety, farm safety.