Rural Household Nutrition and Farm Productivity: A Case Study of Ifo and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of Ogun State

Abstract

This study has estimated the impact of calorie and protein intake of rural farm families on the farm output. These (calorie and protein) were in turn fitted into a production model. Results indicate that both calorie and protein intake of rural farm families significantly improved their farm output. It was found out that the inclusion of calorie and protein intake variables into the production model resulted in more resource utilisation. These variables when they were included in the model showed positive relationship with farm output and they are significant at 1%. Farmers like any other worker need balanced diet to work effectively and efficiently on the farms. Integrated rural development effort should attempt to provide modern farm inputs with relatively higher calorie and protein content to farmers.

Keywords: Household, Nutrition, Farm Productivity

JEL Classification: N5, N57