Economic Analysis of Herbicides by Sole Maize Farmers in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the economics of herbicide use by sole maize farmers in Bosso local government area of Niger state. The study identified the various types of herbicides used by maize farmers in the study area and ascertained the extent to which farmers complied with recommended use of herbicides. The study al so tested the farmers’ knowledge of side effects of herbicides and determined the profitability of herbicide use in the study area. Forty 40 respondents were selected using stratified random sampling technique. The data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting and regression analysis. The herbicides used by maize farmers in the study area were Atrazine, Primextra, Paraquat and Gramazone. All of the respondents complied with the recommended use of herbicides and had knowledge of the side effects of herbicides. Fifteen percent of the total cost incurred in maize production using herbicide was accounted for by depreciation on fixed items while 84.99% was the variable cost. The mean gross income was N46, 181.61 and the mean net farm income was N18, 487.2. From the resource use efficiency test, land, hired labour, fertilizer, seed and fixed inputs were underutilized; effort to increase the utilization of these inputs would raise the efficiency and profit in the area.