Abstract
This study investigated the economic effects of malaria on cocoa farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria using the ordinary least square regression technique. Descriptive statistics were used to identify strategies to reduce malaria infection among cocoa farmers. The sample frame for the study was derived from secondary data obtained from records of Ondo State Ministry of Health on registered cocoa farmers who had malaria during the production season in 2015. Multi-stage, systematic and purposive samplings were used to select 180 respondents for the study. Some of the variables measured include: annual income of farmers, direct cost of malaria treatment, number of days of incapacitation and additional labour cost incurred by the farmers during periods of incapacitation. Results from the study showed that the mean annual income estimate was ₦524,096. It was revealed that the cost of malaria treatment and additional labour cost incurred had a significant effect on the income of the farmers, however; the number of days of incapacitation had no significant effect on the income of cocoa farmers. Key words: Malaria, income, ordinary least squares regression and cocoa.
Highlights
Economic growth and development are achievable in any nation with a viable agricultural sector
Ajani and Ashagidigbi (2008) reported that the average farm income of crop farmers in Oyo State was ₦ 9,974.17. This could signify that cocoa farming being principally export oriented in Nigeria is a high earning enterprise as compared with many other crop farming ventures
The main focus of the study was to analyze the effect of malaria on income of cocoa farmers in Ondo State
Summary
Economic growth and development are achievable in any nation with a viable agricultural sector. Most developed nations of the world are characterized by technologydriven farm production activities. This has enhanced selfsufficiency in feeding their populace. On the other hand, farm production activities depend largely on people in the rural areas using manual labour. A typical rural village in the country is characterized with an indecent environment, poor housing, bushy surroundings, and exposed water in wells and gutters. These aforementioned characteristics are reproducing grounds for mosquitoes that in turn inject malaria parasites on the rural people. Malaria as a lifethreatening disease is caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes (World Health Organization, 2016)
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