AN ASSESSMENT OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM OF PEST CONTROL AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) of Pest Control is an eco-friendly, cost effective and culturally accepted method of controlling pests and diseases. The study assessed the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) of Pest Control on Technical Efficiency of Vegetable Production in Osun State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 240 farmers across the state. The data collected were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Stochastic Frontier Analysis and Ordinary Least Square Regression Analysis. Result of analysis revealed the major indigenous knowledge used for pests and diseases control by the vegetable farmers were early harvesting (71.32%), removal of affected plants (62.80%), use of ash and water mixture (60.74%) and mixture of red pepper with water (41.09%). The average technical efficiency of farms using only IKS for pest and disease control was 0.78 while farms using a combination of IKS and pesticide had the highest average technical efficiency of 0.94. The technical efficiency of vegetable production in the study area is significantly affected by farm experience, usage of IKS, level of farmer's education and access to extension agent. The study concluded that the usage of Indigenous Knowledge System for pest control in vegetable production increased the technical efficiency of the farmers in the study area. The study however, recommends that there should be increase in the sensitization of farmers by government and non-governmental agencies on the economic benefits of indigenous knowledge system on pest control in order to boost productivity and efficiency of food production.