Abstract

There have been numerous attempts at understanding stakeholders’ behaviour in relation to their pest control behaviours in Nigeria. These efforts have been hinged on the fact that though the country possesses competitive advantage in the production of a number of crops, the rewards that would have accrued have been destroyed by pest control practices adopted by majority of these stakeholders. These practices centre on the use of synthetic pesticides that have led to deaths from food poisoning, rejection of the country’s commodities in the international market and degradation of the environment. Socioeconomic, technical and institutional factors have been relied upon in understanding pest control behaviour as part of exertions to reduce the reliance on synthetic pesticides and promote the adoption of indigenous, low pesticide input methods that are sustainable and ecologically friendly. The results have been mixed with minimal improvements in farmers’ pest control decisions. This article therefore brings to the fore the need for increased focus on knowledge and perception studies in the bid to unlock the hydra headed challenge.

Keywords:Crops; Field; Insects; Protection; Store