IMPACT ASSESSMENTS OF OCCUPATIONAL FARM-SAFETY ON NIGERIA AGRO-ECONOMY RECOVERY AGENDA

Abstract

Human capital is a great investment in a mechanized agricultural sector for productivity growth of a national economy. Poor safety policies actions increase burden of injuries/illness (BOI) on farm employees thereby, impeding productive efficiency, financial profitability, return on investment (ROI) and mitigating national agro-economy growth which represents the bottom line of farming business. It was in this view this research work assessed the impact of farm safety policy implementation and monitoring on Nigeria economy diversification and recovery policy through a productive mechanized agricultural sector using Novum Agric Industry (NAI)-an integrated commercial farm as a case study. One hundred and twenty (120) respondents from various sections on the farm were randomly selected. Farm safety policy (FSP) performance questionnaires and structured interview were adopted for data collation. Descriptive statistics analysis revealed 56.7% and 61.7% male dominated and literate farm population, age 18-30 and 31-40 years constituting 51.7% and 41.7% of total farm population respectively. The percentages of employees strongly agreed and strongly disagreed to the respective assertions: 56.7% and 2.5% - farm mechanization technique practices; 14.2% and 27.5% - hazard awareness; 4.2% and 52.5% - safety training; 12.5% and 40% - use of personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.7% and 56.7% - FSP implementation; 0% and 63.3% - FSP monitoring. Consequently, the followings strongly agreed and strongly disagreed to the corresponding injury assertions: 40% and 9.2% - fractures and sprains; 39.2% and 2.5% - chemical attacks; 55% and 0% - body lacerations; 29.2% and 15% - specific and non-specific chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Based on these, 35.8% and 15%; 23.3% and 25.8%; 30.8% and 10% strongly agreed and disagreed to delay in farm work; reduction in -: employees’, annual farm return, and employees’ income. Farm safety policy actions should be fully implemented, monitored and periodically reviewed by the employer.

Keywords

• Farm
• Employees
• Safety
• policy
• injury
• and Economy

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