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.

Abstract:The paper examined the consumption pattern and attitude of households for local and imported rice in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the paper are to: examine the household preference and consumption level of local and imported rice, examine price variation between local and imported rice and identify the major problems confronting marketers of local and imported rice. Data were collected from 100 randomly chosen households with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, chi-square, t-test and regression analysis. The paper revealed among others that majority of the respondents prefer to consume local rice to imported rice because of its more palatability, health benefits, readily availability and relatively cheap price. The average price per kilogramme of local rice is 200 Naira compared to that of imported rice which is 300 Naira. The difference in price is as a result of exchange rate and costs associated with smuggling of imported rice across the border of Nigeria from neighbouring countries. Nonetheless, the quality of local rice is still very low when compared to imported rice in terms of degree of impurities such as stone and shafts and the level of polishing.

The study was executed to examine the cost implication of labour used by cocoa farmers during periods of incapacitation caused by malaria and to determine the perception of the farmers on malaria preventive methods. Descriptive statistics were used to classify farmers by days of incapacitation and the cost of labour for cocoa plantation management when farmers were absent from the cocoa plantation because of malaria. A five-point Likert scale was used to determine the perception of farmers on various malaria preventive methods. 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. The variables measured include: Number of days of incapacitation, additional labour cost incurred during periods of incapacitation and malaria preventive methods. The mean days of incapacitation were 24 days. It was revealed that farmers incurred extra expenses on: Pruning, harvesting, spraying, pollination and general farm sanitation.