Assessment of Agrochemical Usage, Health Risk Awareness, and Occupational Exposure Outcomes among Smallholder Farmers in Osara, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Agrochemical use has become an essential component of modern smallholder farming systems in Nigeria; however, inadequate knowledge and unsafe handling practices continue to pose serious occupational health and environmental risks. This study assessed farmers’ socio-demographic characteristics, agrochemical usage patterns, awareness of associated health and environmental risks, sources of safety information, and reported health outcomes. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 60 farmers using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic variables, frequency and type of agrochemical use, risk awareness, information sources, and self-reported health effects. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results showed that the majority of respondents were male (80.0%) and within the age range of 25–44 years (60.0%), while most had primary or secondary education (63.3%) and operated farms between 1–3 hectares (53.3%) Agrochemical use was widespread, with chemical fertilizers being the most frequently applied input (66.7% weekly), followed by insecticides (40.0% weekly) and herbicides (36.7% weekly). Awareness levels varied, with higher knowledge of acute toxicity (66.7%) compared to chronic health effects (40.0%). The predominant sources of agrochemical information were fellow farmers (60.0%) and agrochemical vendors (46.7%), while extension services and formal training were less utilized (26.7% and 16.7%, respectively). Reported health outcomes included skin irritation/rashes (53.3%), gastrointestinal problems (33.3%), respiratory symptoms (30.0%), and chronic conditions (10.0%). The study concludes that despite widespread agrochemical use, farmers exhibit significant gaps in risk awareness and rely heavily on informal information sources, contributing to reported health complaints. Strengthening agricultural extension services, promoting structured safety training, and improving access to protective equipment are recommended to reduce occupational exposure and enhance sustainable agricultural productivity.