Safety in Agricultural Extension and Development in Cross River State

Subject Areas : Agricultural Extension

Ofem  Etim ¹ (Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiative)
Kennedy  Obu ² (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology University of Calabar Nigeria)
Matilda  Obhiokhenan ³ (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar Nigeria)

Received: 2021-12-30 Accepted : 2022-09-23 Published : 2022-09-01

Keywords: development, Agricultural extension, safety, extension and development,

Abstract :

This paper examined safety in agricultural extension and development in Cross River State, Nigeria. It reviewed literature on unsafe behavior in agricultural extension and development, assess unsafe environment in agricultural extension and development, examine the common hazards in agriculture, review the importance of safety in agricultural development and assess safety constraints in agricultural extension and development. The paper observed that; improper clothing, emergency preparedness, field operations, and livestock handling were some of the aspects where farmer’s activities needed more safety attention in the study area. Also the paper noted that certain activities and conditions influence safety in agricultural extension and development in Cross River State such as; poor handling of animals, Confined Spaces, Heights, Machinery, Noise Pollution, Vehicles, Water, and Weather. Common hazards reviewed were dangers originating from agricultural machinery such as tractor, implement or tools, hazardous chemicals, toxic or allergenic agents, carcinogenic substances, transmissible animal diseases, ergonomic hazards, and extreme temperatures while safety constraints in agricultural extension included macro-contextual factors and institutional contextual factors. The study recommended that the level of hazards emanating from agricultural operations be determined and evaluated, while also ensuring the implementation of zero hazardous practices in the Nigerian agriculture. The study conclude that safety is crucial for agricultural development, as accident and hazards are the products of negligence and avoidance of the extra effort or cost of carrying out farm activities.

References:

1. Agbarevo, M.N.B. (2013). Perception of Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Delivery in Cross-River State, Nigeria.Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross-River State, Nigeria.IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org. Accessed on 25 of August, 2022.


2. Better Health Channel (2012). Farm safety - risks and hazards. Victoria State Government. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au:443/health/healthyliving/farm-safety-risks-and-hazards. Assessed on 24 March, 2020.


3. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) (2021) 'Health and Safety' OSH (Occupational Health and Safety) Answers Health and Safety Programs.

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hazard_risk.html. Assessed on June 13, 2021

4. Effiong, J. B. and Effiong, G. B. 2015. Adoption of improved rubber production technologies by farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Global Journal of Agricultural Science, Nigeria. 14, 40-42.


5. Effiong, J. B. And Aboh, C. L., (2019). Effect of Agrochemicals on the health of farmers in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State-Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research. http://www.europeanjournalofscientificresearch.com. Accessed on 1st of May, 2022.


6. Etim, O. U., (2019). The Use of the University of Calabar Library for agricultural research by students of the faculty of agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resource Management, University of Calabar. Journal of Agricultural Extension Education and Development issues. 2(1), 65-73.


7. Etim, O. U., Aboh, C. l., Idiku, F. O., and Okoi, K. O., (2021). An assessment of the level of occupational safety awareness for agricultural extension agents in cross river State. International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science. E-ISSN 2489-0081 P-ISSN 2695-1894, 7(2), 2021. www.iiardpub.org.


8. Saina, E. J., Odimu, K. N. and Otara, A. M., (2017). Levels of awareness on safety and Health in Use of Agro-chemicals among large scale flower farm workers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 7(13), 154-163.


9. Glenn, C. R. (2017). "Agricultural Safety: Preventing Injuries" Bulletin 1255, Extension, University of Georgia. Accessed  on  24 March, 2020.


10. Decker, E., Folitse, B., Manteaw, S., Swanzy, F., Larbi, E., & Mahama, S., (2021). Occupational Hazards And Injuries Among Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Farmers In The Kwaebibirem District In The Eastern Region Of Ghana. Institute for Scientific and Technological Information (CSIR - INSTI); F. S. & E. L.: CSIR - Oil Palm Research Institute (CSIR – OPRI). Ghana J. Sci. 62 (2), 58 - 68. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjs.v62i26. Accessed on the 22 August, 2022.


11. Kristin, E., Davis, K. L., and Tunji, A., (2019). Organizational capacity and management of agricultural extension services in Nigeria: current Status. South African Journal of agricultural extension. Accessed on 26 December, 2021.


12. National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2017) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). https://nifa.usda.gov/topic/agricultural-safety. accessed on 25th July, 2021.


13. PEGASUS (2017). Importance of Safety on Farms & the Next Farm Safety Action Plan. Environment, Occupational Health & Safety. Farmers Journal. https://www.pegasuslegalregister.com/2017/09/14/farm-safety. Accessed on 25th July, 2021.


14. Peterson, W. E., (1996) The context of extension in agricultural and rural development. International service to national agricultural research, the Hague, Netherland http://www.fao.org/3/w5830e/w5830e05.htm accessed on 27 April, 2021.


15.  


16. Rural Health Information Hub (2019). Rural Agricultural Health and Satefy. Accessed on 25th March, 2020.


17. Safetyline (2021). Are you aware of these 6 Types of Workplace Safety Hazards?' https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/workplace-hazards. Accessed on June 13, 2021.


18. Segun R. B., (2011). Tips for Ensuring Farm Safety in Nigeria. Research Cooperative. Department of Agricultural & Bio-Environmental Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi, Nigeriahttps//:www.researchcooperative.org/Segun-r-bello/blog/153/tips-for-ensuring-safety-in-nigeria


19. Shankariah C., and Shingi, P. M., (1997). Establishing and strengthening farmer organizations. http://www.fao.org/3/w5830E/w5830e0n.htm. Accessed on 27 April, 2021.


20. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (2019). Agricultural Safety. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. NIOSH - Work place safety and Health Topics. Accessed on 24 March, 2020.