Use of neem-biopesticide in control of pests infestation among maize farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pest infection is a threat to crop farmers that has discouraged many from agricultural activities. The study assessed the maize farmers’ usage of neem biopesticides in control of pests infestation in Kwara state. The objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, to determine the level of usage of Neem-biopesticide in pest control, to examine the effectiveness of Neem-biopesticide and to identify the constraints associated with the usage of Neem-biopesticide. The questionnaire was used to elicit information from one hundred and ninety-nine maize farmers. The data was analysed with both descriptive (frequency count, percentages, mean and ranks) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistical tools. The findings revealed that majority of the farmers were male (67.3%), married (89.0%), with average age of 47 years, farm size of 4 hectares and household size of 5 persons. Furthermore, the result showed that out of the form of Neem biopesticides available, Neem leaves soaked in water (mean=1.98), Bark soaked in water (mean=1.97) and Neem seed cake (mean=1.84) were mainly used by farmers and ranked 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. The result showed that Neem leaves soaked in water, root soaked in water and Neem seed cake were considered more effective by the farmers and ranked 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd respectively. The constraint identified by the farmers associated with use of neem biopesticides were poor storage facility (mean=2.40), inadequate knowledge about formulation (mean=2.14) and poot shelf life of neem plant. The study concluded that maize farmers use neem-biopesticide to control pests on their farms. The study recommends that advance research by scientist should be done on neem-biopesticide so that it can be standardized.