The impact of malaria disease on productivity of rural farmers in Osun state, Nigeria

Abstract

In developing countries, the impact of malaria on human health, productivity and human development is well profound. It possesses serious challenge to the survival of several vulnerable poor, whose livelihood depends solely on agriculture. This study was carried out to examine the impact of malaria on the productivity of arable crop farmers and further estimate the cost implication of malaria (direct and Indirect) in rural Nigeria. Data were collected from a random sample of 91 crop farmers through the use of a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The mean age of the crop farmers was 48 years with only 87.9% percent headed by males. The household heads are largely had primary education. Specifically malaria prevalence, household size, farming experience and cost of malaria treatment were significant factors that influenced crop productivity in the study area. It recommended that public enlightenment under the aegis of the "Roll Back Malaria Campaign" should be intensified and treated mosquito bed nets should be provided at subsidized rates to arable crop farmers. Farmers on their part should keep clean environment. Due regard should be given to environmental sanitation in the rural farming communities in the state.

Effect of Malaria on Rural Households’ Farm Income in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

“…This implied that income loss to malaria among rural farming households tends to be an economic burden and has widely reduced the efficiency of the rural farming households as there will be unproductive income diversification in which resources are diverted to treating the endemic disease. This is in line with Ogunniyi, Kehinde, and Adewuyi, (2015) in their work which stated that income loss has an inverse relationship with the productivity of rural farming households. Furthermore, Oyibo et al, (2020) also stated that the income loss of farming households could lead to households reducing farm area and planting less laborintensive crops.…”

Farmers Utilization of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets for Malaria Prevention in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

“…Malaria costs Africa more than 12 billion dollars annually and it slowed economic growth in African countries by as much as 1.3% per year as shown by Adebayo et al [6]. When malaria attacks farmers, their health is hampered, resulting to the reduction of agricultural production.…”

Effect of Malaria Incidence on Maize Farming Households’ Productivity in Idah Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

“…This is because a sick farmer cannot go to farm to work or abandon their farm activities (Fanello and Baker, 2010). According to Oguniyi et al, (2015) malaria is not only a health problem, it is also an economic problem as it affects household income, productivity and their assets acquisition capacity. Farmers' financial resources are expended on treatment of malaria and prevention of the vector as well as its parasite.…”

“…The loss to households may however be greater with the current trend in malaria resistance to traditional first-line drugs. Such loss according to Oguniyi et al (2015) has serious implication for poor household who are already malnourished, who live under pitiable condition and who constitute over 65% of the nation's population. The malaria disease will affect the physical and intellectual capacity of the farming house-hold with fever, headaches and other physical symptoms household suffer due to scarce medical service, thereby affecting finances for maize farming.…”