Effects of tuberculosis on sugarcane farmers productivity in the lubombo region of swaziland
Journal Title: Scientia Agriculturae - Year 2016, Vol 14, Issue 1
Abstract
The study examines the effects of tuberculosis on sugarcane’s farmers’ productivity in the Lubombo region of Swaziland. One hundred and forty sugarcane farmers were selected for the study, through stratified random sampling. 70 of sugarcane farmers affected by TB and 70 of those not affected by TB. Majority of the sugarcane farmers both TB affected and non-affected were male. Both TB affected and non-affected sugarcane farmers fell between the age ranges of 31-59. Likewise, a majority of these farmers owned 8 hectares or less of land for sugarcane farming. The results from arithmetic indices revealed that TB affected farmers lose more than twenty four thousand Emalangeni (E24, 105.36) on average due to the endemicity of tuberculosis. Statistically significant explanatory variables that are determinants of sugarcane production for both TB unaffected and affected farmers were farmers’ experience (p<0.10), farm size (p<0.01), amount of fertilizer used (p<0.10) and fixed costs (p<0.01). Statistically significant explanatory variables influencing sugarcane productivity in the region for TB affected sugarcane farmers were farmers’ experience (p<0.05), farm size (p<0.01), total cost spent on transportation to hospitals and treatment centres (p<0.01) and irrigation (p<0.01) while those influencing sugarcane production in the region for non-affected sugarcane farmers were farm size (p<0.01), transport cost (p<0.10) and fixed cost (p<0.01). The results from chow test analysis indicated that Fcal> Ftab at (p<0.01) and (p<0.05) therefore the decision was to reject the null hypothesis implying that there is no significant difference between incomes of sugarcane farmers’ affected by tuberculosis and those who are not. The TB pandemic has had a negative impact on sugar production in the region in terms of income. In as much as TB treatment is free in the country, considering the farmers income spent on getting to the treatment centers, the Government is encouraged to build more clinics closer to where the farmers are located.
Authors and Affiliations
Raufu Mufutau Oyedapo, Kalejaiye-Raufu Jemilat Olasunkanmi, Abdurrasheed Mutolib Deji
Keywords
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- EP ID EP112303
- DOI 10.15192/PSCP.SA.2016.14.1.185192
- Views 118
- Downloads 0
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