[01] Akinboye Olufunso Emmanuel, Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria. [02] Oyekale Kehinde Oluwaseun, Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria. [03] Afodu Osagie John, Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria. [04] Shobo Bolatito Adenike, Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria. [05] Chioma Gibson Ogbonna, Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria. [06] Adewumi Grace Aderiike, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria.

Insect pests have made significant negative contribution to crop production in both qualitative and quantitative terms. However, there are some insects with positive influence on crop yield; and are therefore beneficial to farmers (pollination, weed killing, soil building or being natural enemies to pests). Farmers were found to have no knowledge or little knowledge of the existence of these beneficial insects and were said to indiscriminately use insecticides which harm both non beneficial and beneficial insects. The aim of this study is therefore to assess the impact of an educational intervention in increasing the knowledge of farmers on beneficial insects. Thirty-one (31) farmers were enrolled for this study, and a self-developed questionnaire was used in assessing their knowledge both pre- and post-test. An educational intervention was carried out. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 21. Findings showed that there was significant increase in the knowledge of farmers on beneficial insects (df = 60; F = 7.612; P < 0.05). This however did not translate into the farmers’ willingness to stop killing insects and their perception about insects generally being a problem on farmland. Findings also suggest that despite an increase in knowledge, farmers were less likely to reduce indiscriminate use of insecticides which puts beneficial insect at risk.

Beneficial Insects, Insect Pest, Insecticide, Knowledge, Vegetable Farmers

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