Base-Station Transmission Microwave Radiation Effect on Agriculture: Case Study of Moor Plantation Teaching & Research Farm, Nigeria

Microwave radio frequency radiation has been proved by many researchers and the World Health Organization (WHO) that it is dangerous to human being as it leads to various health related diseases. There is need for Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineers to investigate the effect of electromagnetic force (EMF) radiation on plants around the telecommunication masts, which usually consists of outdoor microwave radio equipments. This examination focuses majorly on two telecommunication sites radiation on plants located inside the premises of Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria Teaching and Research Farm. Electromagnetic Force Analyser (Digital 3-axis EMF ELF RF Electromagnetic Wave Field Strenght Radiation Microwave Taiwan Meter) were used on the two telecom mast, where the measurement was taken for each of the mast between 0 and 550 meters in every 5 minutes for an hour. Measuring tape, EMF meter, computer system, GDHS Data-Science Software and stop watch were also used as materials for this study with two telecommunication base station. The base station antenna was mounted around the College Demonstration Farm (Site 1) and Cocoa Research Farm (Site 2). The cell tower transmits in the frequency range of 869 – 894 MHz (CDMA), 935 - 960 MHz (GSM900) and 1805 - 1880 MHz (GSM1800). The study was conducted within the period of 7am to 8am (morning), 1pm-2pm (afternoon), and 7pm to 8pm (night). Regression predictions through GMDH Data-Science was employed to determine the variation around the mean of the dependent variable while the regression line was centered on the data point. These data will be quantified to know how close the predictions are to the observed values. Measured power densities were reported with a median distance of 325 meters, which is the range of teaching and demonstration farm of the college. The lowest value for power density was at a distance of 550 meters in the morning, afternoon and evening from both sites with 90, 245, 101, 98, 261 and 93 (μW/m2) respectively. The effect of the radiation to the plant is negligible or minimal based on the International Standard recommendation. Farmers are advised to leave at least 500 meters away from the telecommunication masts before they will embark on the crop or animal production to avoid significant effects of microwave radiation on the plant and animal.