International Journal of Research in Advanced Engineering and Technology

Online ISSN: 2455-0876

www.engineersjournals.com
Volume 1; Issue 2; November 2015; Page No. 29-34

Data analysis of farm accident through agricultural mechanization

1
Adewumi Idowu Olugbenga, 2 Ijadunola John Ademola, 3 Aremu David.O, 4 Oladejo Lukuman Folarin
1, 2, 3
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.
4
Department of Agriculture, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract
Farm accident occurrence has been a serious issue in agricultural sector of the nation. This is just because most operation carried out
on farm are tedious, energy and time consuming. These thesis majorly focus on data analysis of accidents with machinery and devices
in agriculture. Three different local governments in Oyo-state were considered, Egbeda, Ona-ara and Ido local government
respectively. Primary data were collected through interview and questionnaire approach, while secondary data are from journals,
bulletins, and internet were employed in the study, where 150 respondents were involved in this findings. In order to allow intensity
of perception as expressed by respondent participation, 4-point scale was used in the questionnaire design. This aspect of the research
work explores deeply the socio-economic characteristic of the respondent [independent variables] on the perception of respondents’
on effect of mechanization in agriculture to increase in farm accident rate [dependent variable]. The relationship was tested using
regression analysis. The end result shows that low academic qualification of the respondent is one of the main causes of accident
when using farm machinery and devices. It is also concluded that working age for agricultural farm worker that handles device and
machinery should range between 18 – 29 years and 30 – 39 years according to the data collected from the study area. Statistical result
indicated that there is a great need for government intervention in reduction in farm accidents through use of device and machinery.

Keywords: Mechanization, Farm accident, data analysis, regression

1. Introduction sustainability, the environment and, on the quality of life of

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in Nigeria people engaged in agriculture.
and involves exposure to a variety of hazards including Starkey (1998) defined farm mechanization as the development
unguarded machinery, animals, noise, dusts and airborne and introduction of mechanized assistance of all forms and at
toxins, compressed air, and temperature extremes (Pinkett W, any level of sophistication in agricultural production to improve
1995). While considerable attention has been devoted to efficiency of human time and labor. The present state of
modifying this environment in order to improve safety, newer mechanization in Nigeria agriculture is still far from increasing
agricultural practices have also introduced risks. Examples the rate of farming earnings and productivity. This is because
include spinal column fractures caused by large round bales, the mechanization plan has not been formulated following a well-
physical risks associated with intensive livestock operations, designed, reliable and thorough analysis (Nwoko, 1990).
acute poisoning and other toxicological effects of Tropical agricultural mechanization involves the use of tools,
agrochemicals, oxygen deficient atmospheres or toxic gases, implements and machines to improve the efficiency of human
and contact with electrical devices and a wide variety of time and labor. The most appropriate machinery and power
ergonomic hazards. source for any operation depends on the work to be done,
Mechanization has meant great improvements in farming over cultural settings, affordability, availability and technical
the years, but there is a negative side to the tractors and efficiency of the options. These indications were clearly evident
machinery that make farming so efficient. Each year there are that agricultural mechanization is not an end in itself, but a
injuries and fatalities among those who work with or near farm means of development that must be sustained.
machinery. It is paramount to note that there are more Therefore a socially beneficial agricultural production is
accidental deaths in agriculture than any other major industries determined based on a wide range of social, economic and
(Jain and Rai, 1999). It is noted that farm mechanization ecological factors. These factors determine whether a
activities are the sources of majority of an accidents or injuries technology is practicable, beneficial, or sustainable in an area.
happened in farming processes, which usually result to loss of The agrarian structure of Nigerian agriculture has failed to
lives, money consuming and time wastage. make adequate contributions to the nation’s economic
Tools, implements, and powered machinery are essential and development (Mrema and Odigboh, 1993).
major inputs to agriculture. The term mechanization is This failure of agricultural industry especially in farm
generally used as an overall description of the application of settlement schemes can be attributed to the absence of an
these inputs (Clarke, 2000). The level, appropriate choice and appropriate level of agricultural mechanization.
subsequent proper use of mechanized inputs into agriculture has Anozodo et al., (1986) observed that the application of human,
a direct and significant effect on achievable levels of land animal and mechanical equipments in agriculture with
productivity, labor productivity, the profitability of farming, the reference to technical, socio-economic and cultural constraints
of farm can be acknowledged in the continuing official
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promotion of primitive hand tool technology characterized by governments in Ibadan were involved in the analysis, which
low production efficiency. FAO (1981) affirmed that Nigeria as include Egbeda, Ona-ara and Ido local government
a nation from the first decade of the country’s independence in respectively, followed by the selection of 50 respondents from
1960 had experienced failure in improving the farm each local government area. This makes total of 150
mechanization through various agricultural policies that were respondents in all, using the simple random sampling procedure
implemented. for the study.
Ou et al. (2002) reported that agricultural mechanization as
system engineering requires not only advances in machine 2.4 Research Instrument / Instrumentation
development and applications but also the close cooperation of A combination of direct observation, structured questionnaire /
many sections. In recognition of this fact, certain interview guide and oral interview will be used for primary data
environmental, agricultural, social and economic conditions collection by field enumerator and the project student.
must be ascertained to favour investments in mechanization The 4-point scale was preferred in the study for this section
technologies and their sustainable use. Timeliness of tillage and because it allows for the intensity of perception as expressed by
planting, weeding and/or harvesting are critical factors where respondent participation. Respondents could “strongly agree or
affordable labour is insufficient to permit timely operation. agree or disagree or strongly disagree”. The respondents will be
Other key factors that influence successful mechanization required to simply tick (√) on the opinion which best satisfied
include Socio-economic factors, supporting infrastructure, land their response.
and other agro-ecological conditions, technical skills and Also, the research questionnaire will be classified into four
service (Olaoye, 2007). different sections as follows:
The World Health Organization defines health surveillance as Section A; socioeconomic characteristics of respondent in the
the ongoing and systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, study
and dissemination of health information. Injury surveillance is Section B; Effect of farm accident on agriculture in Nigeria
an important prevention activity in that it allows researchers to Section C; Perception of respondents’ on causes of farm
estimate the magnitude of injury related morbidity and accident in Nigeria
mortality; detect new injury problems and changes in the Section D; Perception of respondents towards farm accident
occurrence of injury; and identify potential risk factors. Data prevention in Nigeria
generated through surveillance initiatives provide a factual
basis for the evaluation of intervention strategies, and for the 2.5 Research Questions and Hypotheses
development of rational public policies. In view of the above stated problems, however this study seeks
to provide findings to the following questions:
2. Methodology 1. What is the attitude and perception of respondents towards
2.1 The issue of research methodology is central to the the effect of farm accident on agriculture in Nigeria?
collection and analysis of evidence in an empirical study. This 2. What are the main causes of farm accident?
research provides an overview of the research framework 3. What are the proposed measures of control or prevention
adopted in analyzing the accidents with machinery and devices of farm accident?
in agriculture, which includes research design, population and The following hypotheses are to be tested at 5% significance
sample, research instrument, validation with reliability of the level
instrument, research procedure and method of statistical
analysis. Hypothesis I
Steps involved in conducting the case study and gathering data Ho 1: Socioeconomic status of the respondents has no
through questionnaire, interviews and documentation are significant effect on effect of farm accident.
highlighted in this chapter. The techniques for analyzing and Ha 1: Socioeconomic status of the respondents has a significant
interpretation were presented. effect on effect on effect of farm accident.
Hypothesis II
2.2 Research Procedure Ho 2: Mechanization has no significant effect on the attitude of
The data for this study was generated from two main sources; respondents towards the major causes of farm accident in
primary data and secondary data Nigeria.
a) Primary data: Primary data will be collected with the aid Ha 2: Mechanization has significant effect on the attitude of
of an interview guide in obtaining opinion and response respondents towards the major causes of farm accident in
from the intending target audience. Data included in the Nigeria.
interview guide are those on the socio-economic
characteristics, effect of farm accident on agriculture in 2.6 Method of Statistical Analysis
Nigeria, perception of respondents on causes of farm The data to be collected through the questionnaire will be coded
accident, and perception of respondents towards farm and analyzed using the sample Mean, Frequency, Percentage
accident prevention in Nigeria. and figures on demographic variables descriptively.
b) Secondary data: The secondary data collected includes Furthermore, this aspect of the research work explores deeply
data obtainable from recent Journals, Bulletins, National the socio-economic characteristic of the respondent
Office of Statistics and information’s from the Internet. [independent variables] on the perception of respondents’ on
effect of mechanization in agriculture to increase in farm
2.3 Population and Sample accident rate [dependent variable]. The relationship will be
The sampling procedure used for the purpose of this study is a tested using regression analysis.
multistage sampling technique. Three different local
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The lead equation becomes 3.1 Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents
Y = C0 + C1X1 + C2 X 2 + C3 X 3 + C4 X 4 + C5 X 5 + This comprises the personal attributes of the respondents and
…………………. + Cn X n + µ [Linear Equation] their relationships to the environment such as their sex, age,
marital status, nativity status, academic qualification, income
Where the dependent variable Y is the Rate of criminal (per month), ethnic group, and household size. Table 4.1 below
involvement and the independent variable X 1 – X 7 with C1 – C7 present the distribution of the respondents with respect to these
as their corresponding coefficient are: factors.
C0 = Constant The findings show that 150 responses were collected and 46%
Y = Effect of mechanization in agriculture on farm accident and 44% of the respondents were below 29 years and 30 – 39
X 1 = Sex years respectively. This percentage indicates the highest
X 2 = Age number of respondents which implies that the majority of the
X 3 = Marital Status respondents were within their economically active age category
X 4 = Academic Qualification (Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, 1999). There is a
X 5 = Income per month possibility that this age group affected the ample knowledge of
X 6 = Religion practiced the farm accident investigation. This was possible due to the
X 7 = Ethnic group fact that the highest respondents in the study are the active and
µ = error term economical individuals, that were fully energetic to carry out
farm operations.
3. Results and discussion This implies that age is a factor that is synonymous with the
This chapter presents the result of the study and the implication contribution and the understanding of work force involved in
of such findings causes of farm accident through mechanization agricultural production consequently affected by farm
in Oyo- State. accidents.

Fig 1: Chart showing the age distribution of respondents

For gender, the findings show that 150 responses were collated For educational status, 7.3% of the respondents had little or no
and 61.3% of the respondents were male and 38.7% were educational level, 4.7% had primary school certificate, 31.3%
female. This simply means that male are more involved in had secondary school certificate, 29.3% had A level/ NCE,
agricultural practices and production than female in Oyo-State. 21.3% had ND/HND, 4.7% university graduate and 1.3% had
Invariably, this will also indicate that male will be more expose above B.Sc education. The educational qualification of
to farm accident than female as they are the larger percent of respondents revealed that there is a low level of understanding
respondent carrying out farm work. on the on safety when working with mechanized equipment or
For marital status, 150 responses were collated and 48.7% of implement on farm.
the respondents were married, 42.0% were single, 8.0% were
divorced and 1.3% were either widows or widowers.

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 Table 3.1: Socio-Economic Characteristics (n = 150)
PARAMETERS FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
SEX
Male 92 61.3
Female 58 38.7
AGE
Below 29 years 97 64.7
30 – 39 years 47 31.3
40 – 49 years 3 2.0
50 – 59 years 2 1.3
60 years and above 1 0.7
MARITAL STATUS
Fig 2: Chart showing educational qualification of the respondents Married 73 48.7
Single 63 17.8
For their monthly income, 33.3% of the respondents fall in the Divorced 12 8.0
category of those who earned below N9000 per month, while Widow/Widower 2 1.3
36.7% fall between N9, 000 to 30,000 Naira, 9.3% fall between
EDUCATIONAL
N31,000 to N90,000 while 19.3% for N91,000 to N180,000 and STATUS
1.3% fell above N181,000. This indicates that only smaller
Illiterate 11 7.3
percent of the study population are those who earned standard
Primary 7 4.7
pay. This is an indication that high level of farm accident and
injuries are due to low wages and salaries or income of the Secondary 47 31.3
farmers, since they cannot afford standard medical care. Grade II/NCE 44 31.3
For the ethnic group since the larger percent of our respondent ND/HND 32 21.3
has been an indigene of Oyo - State, 70.0% of the respondent University Graduate 7 4.7
are from Yoruba, 6.7% Hausa, while 23.3% are from Igbo. Above Degree 2 1.3
Monthly Income
Below N95000 50 33.3
N 9000 – N 30,000 55 36.7
N 31,000 – N 90,000 14 9.3
N91,000 - N180,000 29 19.3
N180,000 above 2 1.3
RELIGION
Christianity 91 60.7
Islam 42 28.0
Traditional 17 11.3
NATIVITY STATUS
Indigene 135 90.0
Non - Indigene 15 10.0
Fig 3: Chart showing ethnic group of the respondents Source: Field Survey 2011

For their nativity status, the findings revealed that from the 150 3.2 Effect of farm accident on agriculture in Nigeria
responses that were collated 90% of the respondent populations On the very high side, it has been showed from the population
are native of Oyo state while the rest 10% are of other nativity study, that reduction in farm income, farm mechanization, high
as shown in the Table 1. workers compensation, inadequate infrastructure and high
Household size of the respondents shows that 14% had 1 – 5 insurance premium with respective percentages of 46.0%,
children, 44.7% had 6 – 10 children, 33.3% had 11 – 15 children 34.0%, 46.0%, 31.3%, 35.3%, 50.0% and 26.7% are strongly
while only 8% had 16 children and above. In relation to the agree to be part of the major negative effect of farm accidents
monthly income of the respondents, it has been clearly showed and injuries in the study area.
that farmers will not be able to pay proper attention to safety Reduction in farm workers is the only factor that is strongly
equipment and procedure as they are unable to afford them, due disagrees at a very high side from the respondent with a
to financial constraints. percentage of 38.7%.

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 Table 3.2: Effect of farm accident on agriculture (n = 150)
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
Freq % Freq % Freq % Freq %
Reduction in farm workers 65 43.3 18 12.0 9 6.0 58 38.7
Farmers income reduction 69 46.0 54 36.0 23 15.3 4 2.7
Farm mechanization 51 34.0 72 48.0 18 12.0 9 6.0
High workers compensation 69 46.0 56 37.3 21 14.0 4 2.7
Inadequate infrastructure 47 31.3 85 56.7 14 9.3 4 2.7
Reduction in farm produce yield 53 35.3 76 50.7 18 12.0 3 2.0
High insurance premium 75 50.0 60 40.0 12 8.0 3 2.0
Delay in farm work 40 26.7 76 50.7 34 22.7 - -
Additional wages for worker 56 37.3 59 39.3 21 14.0 14 9.3

Fig 4: Chart showing the effect of farm accident in agriculture by the respondents

3.3 Summary of Regression Result terms of the ethnic group (Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo) any of the
Because the ‘best fit’ model was to be considered a selection group that does not have a formal education or exposure to
criteria, such as Model F value, R-square and the significance safety practices on farm will be greatly involved in farm
of the regression coefficients. accident.
The F-value was 1.351, which was significant at 5% level i.e
the socio-economic variables actually had an effect on farm Table 3.5: Regression Analysis
accident and injuries in the study area. Model Linear
The R-SQUARE value was 0.080 and was the highest of the B T
three equation which means that the model (age, marital status, (Constant) 109023.5 1.197
gender e.t.c) has accounted for 8% of the variance in the Age 0.068 0.793**
dependent variable. Sex 0.038 0.446
Considering the impact of each predictor variable, on the Marital status -0.067 -0.794
criterion variable (farm accident effect in mechanized Academic qualification -0.093 -0.995*
agriculture), the following findings were deduced. Income per month -0.129 -1.521
The respondents’ age, educational level, ethnic group and Religion -0.136 -1.517
nativity status were positively related to the farm accident effect F
in mechanized agriculture and they are significant at 7.4%, Sig. 0.216
1.3%, 0.3% and 1.1% level respectively. This indicates that the R Square 0.080
Std. Error of the Estimate 0.82474
higher the educational level of the respondent, the higher will
Ethnic group -0.093 -0.995*
be their corresponding safety guidelines that will be followed
Household size -0.129 -1.521
during farm operations. This analysis shows that there will be Nativity status -0.136 -1.517*
occurrence of more accident on farm if older age are involve in Significance = *
farming operation especially on mechanized farming. Also in More significance = **

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4. Conclusion 9. Pariyar AL. Baseline Study on Agricultural Mechanization
It can be concluded that only trained expert must be handling Needs in Nepal. Rice wheat Consortium for Indo-Gangetic
machinery and devices on farm operation because this study Plains, New Delhi, India. 2001.
analysis have clearly showed that larger percentage of accident 10. Rijk AG. Agricultural Mechanization Policy and Strategy.
occurs on farm due to lack of technical know-how. This Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo, Japan. 1989.
however has a highly unfavorable effect on the agricultural 11. Okuneye PA. Rising Cost of Food Prices and Food
produce availability, which can be a great reduction in income Insecurity in Nigeria and its Implication for Poverty
of farmers and the country at large. Reduction, CBN Econ. Finan. Rev. 39(4). Raw Material
Probably extinction in the availability of man power and Research and Development Council (RMRDC), (2004):
infrastructure in this area will be reduced because of high rate Report on Survey of Selected Agricultural Raw Materials
of accident occurrence in the study area. In Nigeria. Abuja. 2004.

5. Recommendation
The following measures are recommended to solve the problem
of farm accident using machinery and devices in agriculture.
 A structured orientation campaign should be launched to
create a better understanding of machinery and device
safety for farmers especially in the rural settlement.
 Government should make policies to support the training
of skilled and unskilled labor in the agricultural sector, for
handling machinery and devices.
 Technocrat in agricultural industry should make sure that
each machinery and devices are operated by an expert in
the field.
 Standard National Health Insurance policies must be made
for agricultural worker, since farm workers are more
exposed to accidents and injuries on field.
 Individual, companies, and non-governmental agencies
should contribute to training and provision of safety
equipment to farmers on field.

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3. Clarke LJ. Strategies for agricultural mechanization
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Nepal
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