Analysis of traders perception and adaptive techniques in the control of kola weevil, Balanogastris kolae

Abstract

A survey involving 160 kola nut traders who were randomly selected in two local governments of Ondo state was conducted to examine pest management practices carried out by the traders. Interview schedule structured questionnaire was used in a multi-stage random sampling to select 40 kola nut traders from two villages in each local government. Results showed that most of the respondents were already old with the mean age of 67 years, 87.5% were female, while 80.0% were married. Also, 25.0% had no formal education, 50.0% took farming as primary occupation. 80% traders used phostoxin tablets in preserving their kola nuts after proper curing though 40% still made use of gammalin 20 despite environmental concerns. Since 50% of traders used phostoxin, effectiveness of the fumigation was implicated as a preferred protectant. 80% of the respondents sources for chemical majorly from the hawkers, though only 35% of respondents were aware of the recently approved pesticides for use on kola, while 10% of the traders claimed to be aware of the ban. Thus, only 15.6% of traders claimed to be aware of health implications. Finally, the results of chi-square analysis revealed that relationship between socioeconomic variables and insect pest control is highly significant. Traders were faced with a lot of constraints such as poor extension visit, paucity of information about the practice which consequently affected pest management practice on their farms.

Checklists of Field and Storage Insect Pests of Kola Nuts, (Cola Nitida; Cola Acuminata)i - A Review

“…Azeez [26] reported from a field survey and personal communication that a phostoxin tablet was cut into four and one quarter was enclosed in perforated envelop and placed in a basket full of kola nuts. The preferable position of placing the perforated envelop is at the middle of the basket filled kola nut.…”

“…Other chemicals aside recommended ones are still under investigation Asogwa [64]. Though, there is need to check or monitor the influx of banned or adulterated insecticides in the country, equally enlighten farmers/traders on the use of currently approved insecticides and involved modern techniques Azeez [65].…”

“…This informed recent direction of research towards the use of aqueous or ethanolic phyto-chemical insecticides in the control of insect pest of kola nut. According to Azeez [65] who reported that the ethanolic extract of Lycopersicon esculentum, Hyptis suaveolens, Cymbogon citratus, Loranthus braunii, Alstonia boonei and Sarcocephalus latifolius gave quick knock down effect and achieved high weevil mortality during exposure periods. Therefore, the botanicals with any of the tested application strategies (contact or fumigant action) could provide effective control of kola weevils Azeez [65].…”

Safety Chemical Residues of Protected Crops against Insect Pest Infestation on Health Care Delivery and Environment, a Review

“…Therefore, in view of the development farmers are strongly advised to stop using any of the products containing any of the active ingredients (Table 3). Paradoxically, farmers are still fond of using DDT on their cocoa plantation because DDT is cheap, they could procure the banned chemicals easily because it is readily available in the market, no adequate awareness on the status of the banned insecticides, and they do not have information on detrimental effect of the banned insecticides [18,19].…”

“…Consequently, the adulterate chemical/banned insecticides are sold in the market by accessible retailers with unapproved graduated measurements [19]. However, farmers/traders are ignorant of the side/detrimental effects of the chemical used on their health and the 13 Source: Asogwa [16]; Notes:*-High residue levels have been found within the last 5 years in imported produce to the EU and/or Japan; N -Not known to be on 9141/EC; P -Pending environment [20].…”