SOCIOECONOMIC PRACTICES OF FARMERS ON PESTICIDE USE IN BASSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The study examined the socio-economic practices of farmers on pesticide use in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria, focusing on knowledge, attitudes, and field application behaviors. Bassa LGA, located in the northern part of Plateau State, is predominantly agrarian, with small- to medium-scale farmers cultivating vegetables, grains, and root crops. A total of 200 farmers were selected through simple random sampling, and 194 respondents were analyze, data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, pesticide information sources, safety precautions, and application methods. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine relationships between socio-economic factors and pesticide practices. Results showed that 84.5% of respondents used pesticides, with spraying (70.7%) as the primary method and insecticides (67.7%) as the most common type. While 50.5% recognized environmental risks and 38.7% identified health risks, many relied on agrochemical dealers (61.3%) rather than trained extension agents (27.8%) for information. PPE use (78.9%) and handwashing (92.3%) were relatively high, but misconceptions about complete protection persisted. Economic benefit was the leading motivation for pesticide use (74.4%), while adoption of integrated pest management was low. The study concludes that although awareness of pesticide safety exists, gaps in practice remain, particularly in training access and reliance on chemical control. It recommends practical field interventions, including community-based demonstrations, provision of affordable weather-suitable PPE, promotion of integrated pest management techniques, and mobile extension services to improve safe pesticide use and reduce health and environmental risks.