Effects of impaired lung function on farm labour supply in Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria, Egbe B. Etowa, Seye Babatunde and Josephine B. Etowa
Egbe Bassey Etowa*, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Seye Babatunde, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Josephine B. Etowa, University of Ottawa, Canada
Purpose: Agriculture is labour intensive in Nigeria, yet the sector is hindered by dwindling human capital; among other reasons, this can be linked to the poor health status of the agrarian population. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the effect of impaired lung function on farm labour supply in Eleme, Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach: Primary data were collected from 229 respondents drawn by a stratified random sampling technique. Preliminary analyses included determination and categorisation of the respondents’ lung function. The research objective was realised using the Tobit regression analysis.
Findings: Of the respondents 34.93% had critically impaired lung function, 59.39% impaired lung function and 5.68% normal lung function. Impaired lung function had a negative but not a significant impact on farm labour supply.
Originality/value: The paper substantiates the need for further public health research and policy in favour of the agrarian populace.
Research limitations/implications: Comparative research is limited, necessitating further studies of lung function among the agrarian populace.
Practical implications: To curb a dwindling farm labour supply and enhance food production, medical intervention is appropriate once these research findings are validated.
Keywords: Agriculture; labour supply; impaired lung function
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: E. B. Etowa et al ‘Effects of impaired lung function on farm labour supply in Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria’ Int. J. Food, Nutrition and Public Health, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 108–117.
