An Analysis of the Adoption of Glyphosate Herbicide for the Control of Speargrass (Imperata cylindrica) by Yam Farmers in Guinea Savanna Agricultural Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To analyse the adoption of glyphosate herbicide on the control of speargrass. Study Design: Three local government areas were purposively selected. Data collection was carried out in three stages. First stage was through purposive sampling. The second stage was by random sampling to pick three cells of Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Agricultural Extension Structure from each of the three local government areas. In summary 108 participating and 108 non-participating farmers were randomly selected in the three identified LGAs to make a total of 216 respondents (see Table 1). Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Kogi State University, Anyigba from June 2011 – December, 2012. Methodology: The sampling technique used were interviews, structured questionnaire, use of descriptive statistics, use of logit regression analysis, and z-test was used to analyzed the variables. Results: The results showed that the yam farmers were in various stages of adoption. The three yam packages introduced to the farmers, directs application of glyphosate at 4 and 8 weeks after planning+ 1hoe weeding at 12 weeks after planting has the highest percentage of 53.24 and therefore has the patronage of the farmers. The results of logit regression showed that Extension visits and knowledge of the use of glyphosate herbicide significantly influenced the adoption of glyphosate herbicide at 100%. Mean score showed that high cost of herbicides, lack of capital, lack of access to credit and lack of technical know-how were very serious constraints, while unavailability of herbicide and lack of Extension services were less serious. Conclusion: Aggressive and sustainable training and visit on glyphosate adoption should be put in place by both public and private extension outfits who advocate glyphosate usage for the control of this stubborn, energy shaping weed.