Economic analysis and pattern of agrochemicals use among smallholder crop farmers in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State

This study addresses the economic analysis and pattern of agrochemicals use among smallholder crop farmers in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 144 small-scale crop farmers interviewed for the study. Descriptive statistics and farm budgeting techniques were used for data analysis. The result shows that a typical small-scale crop farmer in the study area is, on average, a 31-year-oldmale with 11 to 20 years of farming experience. These groups of farmers also cultivate 0.78 hectares and have a household size of 8. Herbicides are the predominant agrochemical used during the survey; it was mostly applied both before and after crop emergence. Usually, pesticides were applied without following safety instructions. Users of agrochemicals obtained a total gross margin of USD 1,469.95 per hectare with a profitability ratio of 1.22 which indicates that farming is a profitable business in the study area. The study recommends to increase awareness on farmer safety measures when handlingagrochemicals; and to establish educational programs that will educate farmers on how to safely use agrochemicals.