IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science (IJAES )

E- ISSN 2489-0081
P- ISSN 2695-1894
VOL. 8 NO. 5 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ijaes.v8.no5.2022.pg30.51

---

An Evaluation of the Benefits of the use of Flexible and Non- Flexible Plastic Materials among Agro-Enterprise Owners in the Calabar Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria

Etim, Ofem Usang and Effiong, John Ben

---

Abstract

This study evaluates the benefits of the use of flexible and non-flexible plastic materials among agro-enterprise owners in the Calabar Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria The objectives of the study were to ascertain the benefits of the use of flexible plastic products by agro-firm owners in the study area, and to assess the benefits of the use of non-flexible plastic products by agro-firm owners in the study area. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data was through a structured questionnaire while secondary data was gotten from the Cross River State Ministry of Agricultural. A total of 153 respondents were surveyed. The population of the study included farmers who operates selected agro-enterprises in the study area. Findings revealed that the use of plastic in various agro-firms/enterprises is not hazardous to their produce. Also indicated is that; the use of non-flexible plastic products improves the efficiency of their market, storage, movement of produce, retailing in smaller units, value addition, the physical condition of produce, among others. This study recommends that the production of plastic materials for agricultural use be void of toxic chemical and branded “Agricultural Plastic” and that small scale enterprises of any sought should be encouraged to utilize the benefits of plastic materials to enhance their business start-ups, rather than going for plastic alternatives which may be very expensive.

keywords:

Plastic Products, Marketing Enterprises, Horticultural Enterprise, Vegetable Enterprises, Packaging and Processing Enterprises, Poultry Enterprise

---

References:

Abdul, J., Nannu, M., & Muhammad, K. R. (2014). ?Using plastic bags and its damaging impact on environment and agriculture: An Alternative Proposal?. International Journal of Learning & Development. 3(4):2-14.

American Chemistry Council (2017). ?Study examines production, use and disposal of plastics?.
www.recyclingtoday.com/article/plastic

Atuanya, I., Aborisade, W. T., & Nwogu, N. A., (2012). ?Impact of plastic enriched composting
on soil structure, fertility and growth of maize lands.? European Journal of Applied
Sciences. 2012;4(3):105-109. Accessed on 23 February, 2020

Bernard, L. M. (2015). ?Plastics in agriculture: a contribution to Intensive
Ecological
Agriculture (IEA)?. CPA: French Committee for Plastics in Agriculture and APE Europe:
European Association of Plastics Converters for Agriculture. Saltillo, Coahuila, México.
California Integrated Waste Management Board (2008). ?Postconsumer Agricultural Plastic
Report.? Produced Under Contract by: Sean Hurley, California Polytechnic State
University. Publication #IWMB-2008-019

Etim, O. U. (2018). ?Beat Plastic Pollution.? Live Broadcast from Radio Nigeria - Canaan City
FM (95.5Mhz) during the observance of the World Environment Day June 5, 2018 in Beat
plastic pollution by Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiative – SAESI
Nigeria, in collaboration with Miss Africa 2018, and the Cross River State Ministry of
Environment, Calabar, Cross River State.

Europe‘s Association for Plastic and Rubber Machinery Manufacturers (EUROMAP) (2017).
?Nigeria‘s plastic industry is fast growing – plasticprintpack Nigeria.? Land Mark Centre,
Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria. Available at: www.ppp-nigeria.com/nigeria -
plasticprintpackag- nigeria-event2.html

Franklin Associates (2013). ?Impact of Plastics Packaging on Life Cycle Energy Consumption
and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States and Canada.? Available:
https://plastics.americanchemistry.com/Education-esources/Publications/Impact-of-Plastics-Packaging.pdf

Giuliano, V., Rosa, V., Ileana, B., Giacomo, S., & Mugnozza, E., (2015). ??Sustainability of
Well-Being International Forum?. 2015: Food for Sustainability and not just food,
FlorenceSWIF2015. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy Available online at
www.sciencedirect.com. Assessed on 25 th June, 2018.

Giuliano, V., Rosa, V. L., Ileana, B., Giacomo, S. M., & Evelia, S. (2015). ?Mapping of
Agricultural plastic waste?. Florence ?Sustainability of Well-Being International Forum?.
2015: Food for Sustainability and not just food, FlorenceSWIF2015. Amendola 165/A,
70126 Bari, Italy. Assessed on 25 th June, 2018.

Marsh, K., & Bugusu, B. (2007). ?Food Packaging—Roles, Materials, and Environmental
Issues? Institute of Food Technologists Vol. 72, Nr. 3, 2007—JOURNAL OF FOOD
SCIENCE R39 doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00301.x. Accessed on 23 February, 2020

Michel, G., (2010). ?Plastics in agriculture: a contribution to Intensive Ecological Agriculture
(IEA).? Saltillo, Coahuila, México

Muhammad, K . R., (2014). ?Using Plastic Bags and Its Damaging Impact on Environment and
Agriculture: An Alternative Proposal.? International Journal of Learning &Development
ISSN 2164-4063 2013, Vol. 3, No. 4. Accessed on 23 February, 2020.

Robinson, D.W. (1991). ?Developments in Plastic Structures and Materials for Horticultural
Crops.? Baron‘s Brae, Baily, County Dublin, Ireland, 1991-06-01.

Science Direct (2015). “Plastic Waste: Ecological and Human Health Impacts.? Science for
Environment Policy| In-depth Reports. www.sciencedirect.comscience/artic/Science for
Environment Policy (2011). Accessed on 25 June, 2018.

Trucost (2016). ?Plastics and Sustainability: A Valuation of Environmental Benefits, Costs and
Opportunities for Continuous Improvement.? Plastic and sustainability

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back