Health status and labour productivity of smallholder leafy vegetable farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the health status and labour productivity of leafy vegetables (waterleaf and fluted pumpkin) farmers in Calabar Agricultural Zone, Cross River State Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of leafy vegetable farmers in the study area; assessed the health status of the farmers by identifying the common illnesses they suffer and days of being off-farm as a result of ill-health; ascertain the labour productivity of the leafy vegetable farmers in the study area; and determine the influence of farmers’ health status and other factors on their labour productivity. Multi-stage sampling techniques was used in selecting 240 leafy vegetable farmers’ from the study area. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as tables, means, frequencies, percentages, minimum, maximum and standard deviation; and inferential statistics which include multiple regression. Results from the study show that malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, stomach upset, farm injuries, skin rashes, respiratory disease, body pain/fatigue were the prevalent illnesses in the study area. The labour productivity of the farmers shows that 61 percent of farmers produced between 101 and 200 Naira (₦) worth of vegetables per man-days. The coefficient of health status (farm work days lost to ill health) was negatively related to labour productivity and significant at 10 percent. The study recommends improvement in access to healthcare services and creating awareness campaigns on the importance of good health practices, such as regular medical check-ups and hygiene practices, will help reduce the number of farm-work days lost due to illness.

Keywords

• cross river
• état de santé
• productivité du travail
• nigeria