IMPACT OF AGROCHEMICALS APPLICATION ON HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF BADEGGI AND ENVIRONS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The occurrence of agrochemicals in our environment as a result of the indiscriminate or intentional use has resulted in its persistence in the environment, thereby affecting the ecosystems and non target organisms in the study area. Therefore this study examine impact of agrochemicals application on human health and the environment in Baddegi and environs, Niger State, Nigeria. The materials and methods used in this study include questionnaire and oral interview. The method of data analysis used in this study include frequency percentage, 5-point likert type scale, mean and 3-point likert scale. The finding revealed that major reason for application of agrochemical was increase yield which ranked the highest with 203 respondents, control pests and diseases ranked second with 67 respondents and improve appearance for marketability ranked the least with 11 respondents. As revealed in the study, type of agrochemicals to apply in farms were determine through use own experience, asks what other farmers have used, as advised by extension officer and experiments on different types then choose. The finding revealed that 292 respondents affirmed that their exist health problems associated with the use of agrochemicals in the study area and 49 respondents said they do not suffer any health problem due to the use of agrochemicals. These health problems include skin, eye, stomach and respiratory irritations. As revealed in the study, rating the risk of agrochemicals effects on soil, air, surface water, aquatic organism and birds were done in four categories. Moderately harmful ranked the highest with 153 respondents and not harmful ranked the least with 42 respondents. Surface water ranked the highest on the effect of agrochemical with 87 respondents and air ranked the least affected component of the environment. This implies that all the components of the environment were effected with agrochemicals in the study area as affirmed by the respondents. It’s therefore recommended that agricultural stakeholders such as the Ministry of agriculture to carry out sensitization campaigns to educate farmers on proper and efficient use of agrochemicals to improve productivity as well as prevent adverse environmental and human health effects.