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

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.