ABSTRACT:

The study analyzed factors influencing the utilization of agro-chemical practices by cowpea (VignaunguiculataWalp) farmers in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Nigeria. The studydescribed the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identified utilization ofrecommended practices in use of agrochemicals, determines the factors influencing the utilizationof recommended practices. Primary data were randomly collected through questionnaires from 144farmers. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressionanalysis. The major findings revealed that 53.5% of respondents were female, 43% were within theages of 31-40 years, 47.9% were married, 52.1% had household size of 1-5 individuals with mean of8. Similarly, 35.5% had National Diploma/NCE educational level, 47.9% had farming experienceof 1-10 years with mean of 12.26, 52.8% acquired their farm land through inheritance and 53.5%had agriculture as their primary occupation. Furthermore 60.4% of respondents do not have accessto credit, 93.7% do not have access to extension, and while 47.9% had annual farm income of N50,000-99,000 with mean income of N101, 211.78. The results further revealed that less than 40% ofrespondents actually made use of recommended agrochemical practices. The coefficient of multipledeterminations R2 from regression analysis revealed that 79.77% of the variation in percentageutilization of recommended agrochemical practices were explained by the variable included in themodels. Age, household size, education, farm size, farm income, agrochemical usage and number ofextension visits were significant. The study therefore recommended that field training and practicaleducation to respondents by extension agent, radio and television progarmmes in local language,provision to loan and credit to farmers, provision of basic infrastructures as well as subsidizing thecost of radio/TV centres were made so that farmers can have free flow of information on agrochemicalusage.