IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON CROP FARMING IN BENUE STATE

¹Abua, T., ²Ekele, G.E. and ²Agbulu, O.N.

¹Department of Agricultural Education, College of Education Katsina-Ala

²Department of Agricultural Education, University of Agriculture, Makurdi

Email: nyorbem@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impact of HIV/AIDS on food production of farmers in Benue state of Nigeria. A questionnaire survey design was adopted. The sample of the study of 400 participants was drawn from 48 comprehensive treatment sites in Benue state. The instrument used was the impact of HIV/AIDS on Food Production of Farmers Inventory (IHFPFI). The instrument was validated by the three experts in Research Methods and Agricultural education. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha which was 0.89. Five research questions and four research hypotheses were formulated to give direction to the study. The data collected were analysed using Mean and Standard Deviation to answer the research questions. T-test statistics was used to test hypotheses 1 -3. The results of the study include: HIV/AIDS had significantly impacted on pre-planting, post-planting and harvesting processes of crop farming. It was therefore suggested that Government at all levels should intensify their effort to reduce the number of new infected persons. This should include increased education and information campaign especially in the ill-informed rural areas to end the silence, stigma and indifference to HIV/AIDS. To achieve this, religious leaders, village heads, transport union etc. should be included in the campaign.