1.1 Introduction
Agrochemicals are chemically manufactured substances which are used to agricultural produce to increase yield while simultaneously managing pests and illnesses (Omari, 2014). Rice is the most important staple food for a large part of the world’s population providing more than one fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by the humans (Sharif et al., 2014). Rice sector being a critical sub-sector of agricultural sector can serves as a means of conserving foreign exchange and improve the nation economy. Increasing rice productivity and acceptability, enhancing better marketing, poverty alleviation and increasing value addition of rice through the rice value chain are some of the major targets of Nigeria government over the years. Rice production is however low which make the country to be a net importer of rice. It is a major staple food in Nigeria. Value chain is the full range of activities required to bring a product or service from conception, through the different phases of production, delivery to final consumers and final disposal after use (Kaplinsky and Morris 2001).
This chapter will address the background information that motivated this study, the challenges that prompted it, its aim, and its objectives as a preface to subsequent sections of the study. Additional factors include the study's significance, scope, limitations, research questions and hypotheses, and the definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Rice (Oryzea spp) is one of the major staple food of the world, ranking third after wheat and maize on global production level and second in terms of area under cultivation (Adeoye, 2003). It is a major source of food for about half of the world’s population supplying basic energy needs of the people. In Nigeria, rice cultivation is an age long enterprise providing employment opportunity and source of food to vast and diverse population of the country. It is ranked the fourth major cereal crop in Nigeria after Sorghum, millet and maize in terms of cultivated area and output (Babafada, 2003). The importance of rice in the Nigeria diet can succinctly be explained by its demand and consumption pattern over the years.
Starting from the 1960s when paltry 360 metric tonnes of locally produced rice was unable to meet local demand, to the 1.45 million tonnes produced in the 1990s which also fell far short of demand (National Cereals Research Institute [NCRI] 2004). The nation’s current annual production level of about 3 million tonnes is again a far cry from its consumption level of 5-6 million tonnes (Ugwu, 2013). The short fall, according to Ugwu (2013), is usually filled through importation with figures oscillating between 1.7 to 3.2 million tonnes.
In Nigeria, rice is a significant staple meal. A large number of Nigerians have acquired a preference for medium- to long-grained rice that is polished and size-sorted. Over time, the amount of rice produced locally has increased. Value addition in rice cultivation and processing may boost a farm's reputation, open up new markets, lengthen the market season, and benefit the community in addition to providing a greater return. Value addition is a long-term strategy rather than a "quick fix," but it will increase productivity in the region's rice cultivation and processing. To succeed, one needs to be willing and able to take on risk in addition to having sufficient cash, managerial abilities, and interpersonal skills (Kaplinsky and Morris, 2000).
Production is the process of transforming certain goods and services known as inputs into other goods and services known as products (Akubiloet al., 2007). It implies a series of processes, techniques, activities or procedures involved in combining resources of land, labour, capitals, water and management to generate useful effect or products. Value on the other hand implies worth, Benefits price or measure of importance. It is a factor of utility. Value can also be seen as the monetary term in which the utility of a product or an item can be explained. Therefore, value addition in the production and processing of rice implies all the activities, processes or strategies and distribution of rice which in one way or the other contribute to benefit/utility maximization (Owoh, 2008). It seeks a careful exploration into all the activities, processes or strategies of operation carried out in the production, processing, packaging and distribution of rice which contribute to the maximization of profit or utility derived from rice.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Environmental Effects of the Use of Agro-Chemicals for Rice Cultivation.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the rate of rice importation is high due to insufficient production and lack of value addition to enhance the productivity of the rice production and processing. Neglect of agricultural activities has been a very serious problem affecting both producers and marketers of agricultural produce in the country. This situation appears to be aggravated by government and policy makers who have not considered production and marketing of food crops as serious problems to the economic development of the nation. Nigeria has great potential to greatly enhance productivity in rice production and processing.
Nigeria is one of the largest rice producing country in Africa. Though the rice locally produced and processed does not compare the foreign rice product in the market and this has made Nigeria the second world largest importer of rice. This is as a result of poor production and processing of locally produced rice. The application of value addition to rice production and processing will enhance the product.
Therefore, the basis for value addition is a necessity for enhancing productivity of rice production and processing.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Environmental Effects of the Use of Agro-Chemicals for Rice Cultivation using Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the level of awareness of agrochemicals’ safety measures among rice farmers in the study area;
- To describe the socioeconomic characteristics of rice farmers; and
- To determine the rice farmers’ level of awareness of the health implications associated with the use of agrochemicals.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors that encourage the Use of Agro-Chemicals for Rice Cultivation?
- What is the level of awareness of agrochemicals’ safety measures among rice farmers in the study area?
- What are the socioeconomic characteristics of rice farmers in the study area?
- What is the rice farmers’ level of awareness of the health implications associated with the use of agrochemicals?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant difference in the socioeconomic characteristics of rice farmers in the study area
- H1: There is a significant difference in the socioeconomic characteristics of rice farmers in the study area
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Rural rice farmers are not aware about the health implications associated with the use of agrochemicals.
- H1: Rural rice farmers are aware about the health implications associated with the use of agrochemicals.
1.7 Significance of Study
The results of this study will aid in the understanding of the problems and obstacles that have prevented adequate local rice production, allowing researchers, the government, and policy makers to create solutions for these problems. Furthermore, farmers will gain an understanding of the value addition of rice processing and production from the study's findings, which will help them boost productivity while utilizing agricultural chemicals.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Environmental Effects of the Use of Agro-Chemicals for Rice Cultivation using Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Rice: Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima. As a cereal grain, it is the most widely consumed staple food for a large part of the world’s human population, especially in Asia
Enhancing: Intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
Productivity: Productivity describes various measures of the efficiency of production. A productivity measure is expressed as the ratio of output to inputs used in a production process, i.e. output per unit of input.
