| Abstrakt: |
Agricultural sustainability can be achieved through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) incorporates economic sustainability with environmental and social concerns. The goal of integrated pest management is to optimize profits and achieve agricultural and natural resource sustainability over the long period. This study evaluated economics of integrated pest management and pesticides use decision making process among cowpea farmers, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was designed specifically to provide answers to the following objectives: determine the socio-economic profiles of cowpea farmers, analyze costs and returns of cowpea production, evaluate factors influencing cowpea farmers' decision of adopting integrated pest management and pesticides use, evaluate factors influencing output of cowpea production, and determine the constraints facing cowpea farmers. Data used were from primary sources. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. A total sample size of 100 cowpea farmers was selected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, financial analysis, principal component analysis and Heckman two-stage model which involve Probit model analysis and Ordinary Least Squares Regression Model. The result shows that 84% of cowpea farmers were less than 50 years of age. The mean age was 40 years. Also, 61% of cowpea farmers had less than 11 people as members of households. Furthermore, 88% of cowpea farmers had formal education. The farmer had average experiences in cowpea farming of 9 years. The integrated pest management techniques and pesticides use adopted by cowpea farmers include crop rotations, use of quality improved seeds, early harvest, use of resistant varieties, use of insecticides, use of pesticides sprays among others. Cowpea production was profitable enterprise. The gross margin and net income of cowpea production were 911,990 Naira and 889,090 Naira respectively. The gross margin ratio was 0.92.In first stage of the Heckman two-stage model, the statistical and significant factors influencing adoption of integrated pest management and pesticides use include age (P < 0.05),sex (P < 0.10), educational level (P < 0.01), household size (P < 0.05), extension contact (P < 0.05), and experiences in cowpea farming(P < 0.10). In the second stage, factors significantly influencing output of cowpea production were age(P < 0.10), sex(P < 0.10), educational level(P < 0.05), household size(P < 0.10), farm size(P < 0.05) and labour input(P < 0.10). Lack of improved seeds, lack of extension agents, lack of storage facilities, lack of chemical inputs and bad roads infrastructures were constraints facing cowpea farmers. The retained constraints explained 71.42% of all components included in the principal component model. The study recommends that extension agents should be employed to train farmers on integrated pest management and pesticides use, improved quality cowpea seeds should be provided and feeder roads should constructed for easy evacuation of cowpea produce to market centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
