ANALYSIS OF FARM SAFETY-RISKS AND HAZARDS COMMON AMONG SMALL-SCALE COCOA-FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

The study was conducted in Abia State, Nigeria. A sample size of 240 respondents generated through purposive and multi–stage sampling procedures. Data were realized using structured questionnaire and they were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation co-efficient. About 62.5 %, 37.5 % and 64.4 % of the respondents were males, females and literates respectively. Means of 46.5 years, 8.5 persons and ₦31,458.00 respectively were recorded for age, household size, and monthly income respectively. Stepping on sharp objects (X = 3.08), cuts/ wounds from implements / tools (X = 3.38), insects bit/ stings (X = 3.25), sun – burns (X = 3.58), and poisoning from chemicals (X = 3.58) respectively were identified as the common farm- safety- risks and hazards in the study area. Avoidance of fatigue(X = 3.38), wearing of hats/ caps (X = 2.58), always armed with machetes (X = 3.2), protective clothing (X = 2.92), rain / jungle boots (X = 2.92), and experts handling chemical application(X = 2.58), among others were identified as preventive measures employed by the cocoa farmers. Results equally, revealed that the following agro – chemicals: mirex (X = 2.63), primegram (X = 3.50), galex (X = 3.58), glamozone (X = 3.63), karate (X = 3.00), furandan (X = 3.50), primextra (X = 3.38) and copper sulfate (X = 3.25), among others were still in use by cocoa farmers in the study area. About 79.9 % of the respondents indicated that the following operations in cocoa production in the study area still involved the use of child – labor: harvesting, weeding, transportation, planting, harvesting and fertilizer application respectively. The study therefore, recommends that government agencies and stake holders charged with monitoring and enforcement of banned chemicals in Nigeria, mostly in the study area should step-up activities mostly now that the protection of environment is a very topical issue in the world