Overview of Pesticide Usage, Misuse and Its Impact on Environmental Degradation in South-western States and Some Part of Northern States in Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed and oversees the pesticides usage, misuse and its effects on environmental degradation in Southwest and some Northern part of Nigeria. It also gathered information on why farmers misused the pesticides. Data for this study were collected from secondary sources like books, electronic sources, experimental and field reports. It was discovered from the literature searched that males were majorly pesticide users than the females. Higher education levels of farmers reduced the misuse of pesticides. Majority of farmers were reusing pesticide containers for keeping valuable thing in homes and that pesticides which are highly toxic are being used by farmers. It was also noted that, farmers are misusing agrochemicals due to inappropriate use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), mixing of two chemicals which are meant to perform different role, lack of checking expiry dates on the pesticides containers and inability of many farmers to read and understand the instructions on pesticide containers. Many farmers experience discomforts such as vomiting, itching eyes, burning sensation, dizziness, nausea etc. Impact of pesticides on the environment were revealed to have detrimental effect on hatching of egg of some aquatic organisms, hinders reproductive and endocrine systems and contamination of food, water, death of livestock, fish death and loss of biodiversity as a result of environmental hazards caused by pesticide usage. It is therefore concluded that farmers should be encouraged to use their complete PPE during pesticides application to avoid having discomfort, and the use of pesticides should not be anchored by old age farmers. Moreso, banned pesticides should be monitored not to be sold in the market, adult education should be organized for the pesticide users and encourage proper disposal of pesticide cans into appropriate incinerator after used.