EFFECTS OF HOOKWORM INFESTATION ON LABOUR INPUT AND GROSS MARGIN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS IN SELECTED RIVERINE COMMUNITIES IN KOGI STATE

Abstract

The study compared labour input and gross margin between hookworm infested and non infested crop farmers in selected riverine communities in Omalla, Kogi, Idah and Igalamela/Odolu local Government areas of Kogi state. 200 cassava and maize farmers were randomly selected , 50 infected and non infected farmers were picked from each local government area ,Questionniare was administered , identification of infected farmers was by observation of symptoms and later confirmed from their medical records from the health institutions they attended. Statistical and economic tools were used to determine the labour input and gross margin. The labour input reported were 3 to 5 hours for 80% infected, 6 to 8 hours for 10 of infected farmers and none of the infected farmers put in more than 8 hours. 50% of non infected farmers put in 6 to 8 hours daily , 40% put in 3 to 5 hours daily and 10% worked for more than 8 hours in a day The total revenue and gross margin for infected farmers were 161,000 and 108,780 Naira , while those of the non infected farmers were 170,000 and 125, 000 Naira. It was concluded that hookworm infection reduced the labour input, gross margin and hence productivity of farmers , it was recommended that future agricultural policies and programmes should have health care for farmers as an integral part with a view to increasing farmers productivity