Indigenous knowledge in rice pest and disease management: Drivers of farmer utilization in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the factors affecting the utilization of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) techniques in controlling rice pests and diseases in Ogun State, Nigeria. Specifically, it identified the types of indigenous knowledge techniques used by the farmers, factors affecting the utilization of these techniques, benefits of utilizing these techniques, and the challenges faced by these farmers in utilizing these techniques. Data was collected from 120 randomly selected respondents from 2 communities in Ifo and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of Ogun State with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and mean scores, while regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the socio-economic characteristics and the utilization of indigenous knowledge techniques. Findings revealed that manual weeding (93.3%) and planting traditional varieties of rice (88.3%) are the most used indigenous knowledge techniques. The findings also showed that farmers perceived several benefits in adopting IK practices. The most significant advantages were the promotion of diverse, locally adapted crop varieties, ease of adoption, environmental sustainability compared to chemicals, and enhancement of farmer self-sufficiency. Other perceived benefits included cultural preservation, biodiversity conservation, and reduction in chemical pesticide use. Despite these benefits, rice farmers also faced multiple challenges. The most prominent was limited resources for pest and disease management, followed by the relatively slower action of IK compared to chemical pesticides, high cost of alternative methods, and difficulty in sourcing traditional control materials. Additional constraints included doubts about effectiveness, lack of training and documentation, and challenges in balancing IK with modern practices. The study concludes that IK remains a valuable, sustainable, and culturally relevant approach to rice pest management but requires institutional support, validation, and integration with modern pest control methods to enhance its wider adoption.