Occupational Health Hazards of Women Farmers in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State- Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue III, March 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Occupational Health Hazards of Women Farmers in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State- Nigeria

Venatus V. Kakwagh

Department of Sociology, Kogi State University, Anyigba-Nigeria

Abstract:-This study was carried out to determine the occupational health hazards that women farmers face in Nigeria with a particular focus on Ankap Local government area of kogi State –Nigeria. The study has shown that women are very important and active participants in the agricultural sector in Nigeria. The study has however, opined that in spite of the crucial role women play in agricultural production, policies in Nigeria have not been formulated to address the hazards they face in performing their agricultural activities. Due to this neglect, women have continued to face different levels of hazards with significant effect on their lives and consequently on agricultural productivity. Since women are very important actors in agricultural production in Nigeria, and their poor health impacts negatively on agricultural productivity, there should be improvement in rural social services. This is to reduce the negative effect of poor health on rural productivity. The health of rural women should be integrated into a rural development policy especially the primary health care structure. Emphasis should be particularly placed on environmental protective measures, health promotion and wellbeing measures and agricultural safety. To this regard, there should be collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies of government. Also, researches should be conducted so as to design simple and affordable hand tools such as planters, threshers, for farmers so as to reduce the drudgery of farm work. Farmers should be educated through enlightenment campaigns with active participation by agricultural extension workers on how to avoid the dangers of the chemicals especially herbicides and pesticides they apply to their crops. Women (and farmers generally) on their part should always endeavour to wear protective clothing.

Key words: Occupation; Health hazards; Women; farmers; Ankpa LGA

I. INTRODUCTION

Agriculture ranks among the most hazardous occupations in the world (National Institute for Occupational Health, 2013). The physical demand of the farm work often exposes the agricultural worker to very high risks. In spite of the risks, in agrarian economies, the agricultural sector plays very important roles. It is the engine overall economic growth. In Nigeria, it is the major employer of labour and contributes to households’ income generation and food security.

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