EFFECTS OF RURAL CASSAVA-BASED FARMERS’ MICRONUTRIENT INTAKE ON LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY IN OGUN AND ONDO STATES, SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Studies on micronutrient intake in relation to labour productivity are very important in Nigeria as efforts are geared towards sustainability of food and nutritional security for her teaming population. This study assessed the effects of micronutrient intake on labour productivity among rural cassava-based farmers in Ogun and Ondo States, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 320 cassava-based farmers for the study. A structured questionnaire was utilized to elicit information from the respondents on their socio-economic characteristics, dietary intake, man-hour and cassava output. The micronutrients examined were categorized into four, namely; nutrients of public health importance (Vit. A, Iron, Zinc and Folate), nutrients needed for bone formation (Magnesium, Phosphorus, Vit.D, Calcium and Vit. C), nutrients needed for nervous system (Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B7, and anti-oxidants (Vit.E(equivalent), Vit.E and Copper). Data were analyzed with frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Ordered Logit Regression, Multivariate Probit Regression (MVPR), Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Multiple Regression model and Food Consumption Score (FCS). Nutrisurvey excel software was used to analyse the micronutrient intake. Results reveal that 85.3% of the respondents were male, 36.3% had secondary education, 35.2% had access to credit, 48.7% had extension visits, 23.4% were nutritionally aware and 83.2% had increase in dietary intake during raining season with a mean age, household size, monthly income and monthly expenditure on non-food of 48 years, 6 persons, ₦83,968.05 and ₦10,267.73 respectively. Furthermore, 23.0% of the respondents had adequate micronutrient intake and all (100.0%) fell short of the micronutrients’ daily recommended allowance. Most (73.0%) were on the borderline, while 13.0% and 14.0% fell within the poor and acceptable regions of food consumption score. The profiling of productivity on micronutrient intake reveal that the average productivity is higher among cassava-based farmers that are adequate in nutrients needed for bone formation (505.89Kg/man-day) followed by anti-oxidants(466.28Kg/man-day), nutrients of public health importance (405.32Kg/man-day and nervous system (407.61Kg/man-day). The determinants of cassava-based farmers’ dietary intake are non-food expenditure (β=-6.66E-06, p<0.01), household size (β=-0.088, p<0.01), and season (β= 0.123, p<0.01). The results of MVPR show that household size (β = -0.024, p<0.01), educational level (β=-0.085, p<0.01), monthly income (β =0.063,p<0.05),credit access (β=0.032, p<0.05), extension visits (β=0.326, p<0.05), contact with health extension agents (β=0.058, p<0.05) and nutritional awareness (β=0.320, p<0.05) significantly influenced micronutrients of public health importance. However, sex (β=0.305, p<0.01) and diversification to non-farm business (β=0.863, p<0.05) significantly influenced anti-oxidants intake. OLS multiple regression analysis reveal that micronutrient intake has a significant influence on labour productivity. The higher the number of micronutrients adequacy intake in nutrients of public health importance, nutrients needed for bone formation, nervous system and anti-oxidants, the higher the productivity of the farmers by 146.8Kg/man-day, 236.8,Kg/man and 458.7Kg/man-day and 421.9Kg/man-day respectively. Also, age (β=6.848, p<0.01), level of education (β =68.877, p<0.01), monthly income (β=-0.007, p<0.05), access to credit (β=1199.436, p<0.01), extension visits (β=54.170, p<0.1) and nutritional awareness (β=931.626, p<0.05) significantly influence labour productivity. The study concluded that cassava-based farmers with adequate micronutrient intake had higher productivity levels. Hence, policies that will enhance the consumption of micronutrient-rich diets needed for bone formation, nervous system and anti-oxidants should be enacted to improve labour productivity among cassava-based farmers.