Merchants' Attitude towards the use, and Ban of the Pesticide Gammalin in Dawanau International Grain Market, Kano, Nigeria

The study seeks to know the perception and attitude of merchants towards the banned pesticide Gammalin and its use. The study was carried out in Dawanau International grain market, Kano state, Nigeria. Data was collected by the use of structured questionnaire via interview because of the high rate of illiteracy among the study population. One hundred and fourteen (114) respondents were randomly selected for the study. Investigative survey Research Approach (ISRA) and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. The study found that 81.5% of respondents believe that the government’s ban on Gammalin is uncalled for and unjustifiable. First, the respondents are of the opinion that some merchants continue to use Gammalin despite its ban because these feel the pesticide is very effective against all stored grain insects (90.3%). Secondly, merchants do not believe the dangers ascribed to its use (68.4%). Thirdly, merchants believe it is cheaper than most pesticides for stored grain pest (53.5%). Fourthly, merchants are not aware of its dangers (37.7%). Fifthly, merchants do not know of equally effective pesticides (28.9%). Lastly, merchants feel it is the pesticide they have grown up to know (14.9%). It was recommended that the government in conjunction with related non-governmental organizations do more to change merchants’ attitude and perception towards Gammalin and its use especially through the mass media, enforce the legislation that bans Gammalin to the later, introduce cheap health-eco-friendly non-chemical method of combating stored grain pests like bio-pesticides, and or the Integrated Pest Management (IPM).