Survey of Pesticide Use Practices Among Smallholder Vegetable Farmers in Oyo State

Pesticide misuse in Nigeria's vegetable production sector poses health and food safety risks to farmers and consumers, and documenting current pesticide use practices among smallholder vegetable farmers in South West Nigeria provides baseline data for improving regulatory compliance and farmer training. This study surveyed pesticide use practices among 120 smallholder vegetable farmers in Ibadan North, Oluyole, and Ido LGAs of Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A structured questionnaire assessed pesticide types used, application methods, safety practices, disposal practices, and awareness of pre-harvest intervals. Field observation documented personal protective equipment use during spraying. Results showed that synthetic pyrethroids (66.7 percent) and organophosphates (53.3 percent) were the most commonly used pesticide classes. Correct label reading before application was practised by only 28.3 percent of respondents. Protective equipment use was minimal, with only 16.7 percent using gloves and only 8.3 percent using masks during spraying. Pre-harvest interval compliance was understood by only 21.7 percent of farmers. Empty pesticide containers were discarded in open fields or water bodies by 68.3 percent. Over-dosing relative to label recommendations was reported by 44.2 percent. The study concludes that pesticide use practices in the study area are hazardous and non-compliant with regulatory standards. Recommendations include targeted farmer training on safe pesticide use, stronger NAFDAC-FMARD field enforcement, and subsidised personal protective equipment distribution through ADP extension services.

Keywords: pesticide use, smallholder vegetable farmers, food safety, Oyo State, pesticide safety