Adoption of Pesticide Safety Rules by Cowpea Farmers in Sabon Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study assessed adoption of Pesticide Safety Rules by Cowpea Farmers in Sabon Zaria L.G.A of Kaduna State. Specific objective was to describe socio-economic characteristics of farmers, identify sources of information on pesticide usage, level of awareness of safety rules, adoption of safety rules and constraints to adoption among farmers. The result of the study indicated 74.74% of the respondents fell within the age range 31 – 40 years, majority (84.21%) male and 15.79% female,. The results shows different sources of information included Agricultural extension services (26.3%), Local agricultural input suppliers (12.6%), fellow Farmers (34.7%). The results of awareness of safety rules shows Reading of label (M=3.0), wearing protective clothing (M=3.6), cleaning equipment after use (M=3.2) and proper disposal of container (M=3.0).Constraints experienced by farmers includes; Financial constraints buying effective pesticide (M=3.2), Lack of government support or regulation leads to lost of interest in the use of pesticides (M=3.0), lack of knowledge about safety rules leads to sickness among farmers (M=2.9), Lack of proper training on pesticide safety leads to dead (M=2.6). Based on the findings It was recommended that provision of credit is an intractable problem in Nigeria agriculture, it is suggested that a realistic policy on provision of credit to farmers be put in place. Prompt supervision/advice from agricultural agency/organization to ensure proper used and utilization of pesticides for increase production.