Agricultural Science Digest
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue: spl

Perceived Effect of Agrochemicals on Health of Cocoa Farmers in Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

  • Author:
  • J.B. Effiong1,*, S.B. Azu2, T.A. Omang3, M.B. Onabe2, E.E. Nsa4, E.E. Archibong4, E.I. Orji5
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Page Number: 179 to 186

1Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

2Department of Agricultural Education, Faculty of Vocational and Entrepreneurial Education, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

3Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

4Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

5Institute of Education, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: J.B. Effiong, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, Email: johneffiong090@gmail.com

Online published on 6 February, 2026.

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of agrochemicals on the health of cocoa farmers in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to; assess the effect of Agro chemicals on the health of cocoa farmers in the study area and to identify the protective measures that cocoa farmers can adopt to reduce the effects of these chemicals on health in the study area.

Primary data was obtained with the help of well-structured questionnaire and 120 respondents were selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistical tools such as tables, frequencies, means and percentages were employed for the analysis of the data and interpretation.

The results revealed that the most severe perceived effects of agrochemicals on health of cocoa farmers in the study are were cough (x=3.99%) and the respiratory diseases (x=3.95%) while wearing of chemical resistant overall (x=4.03%) and washing of hands after chemical handling (x=3.96%) were perceived as the most significant protective measures that was adopted by cocoa farmers in the study area. The study recommended that the Nigerian government should incentivize the adoption of organic farming practices and environmentally friendly agro-chemical alternatives, reducing the overall health risks associated with agro-chemical use, while extension providers should supply information and training on sustainable and conservative agriculture to the farmers.

Keywords

Agro chemicals, Cocoa, Effect, Farmers, Health