ASSESSMENT OF RODENT CONTROL STRATEGIES AMONG YAM FARMERS IN BARUTEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2022-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Annals of West University of Timişoara, ser. Biology
Abstract
Yam is attacked by several species of foliage-feeding and stem-boring insects as well as rodents majorly on the field. The objectives of the study are to identify common rodents in yam plantation, examine damages caused to yam by rodents among others. The study engaged 110 yam farmers that were randomly selected. Data collected were obtained with structured questionnaire administered to the yam farmers and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result of the analysis reveals that majority of the respondents were male ((96.4%), Muslim (97.3%), have household size of 6 people (93.6%) and 47.27% of the respondents had secondary education. Result shows that common rodent identified in yam plantation include bush rat, pouch rat and grass cutter. The study identified the major damage caused by rodents as bruising, rupture and tissue degradation. Sanitation, rodents trap and use of dogs were the major control measures used. The study identified the constraint to rodent management as ‘climatic conditions on control’ and Setting of traps limits movement around the farm. The study concluded that rodents pose serious threat to yam production. The study therefore recommended that, extension workers with the help of the research institute should initiate innovation on control strategies to control rodents on yam farms.
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Keywords
rodents, damage, control, yam, farmer