IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON AGRICULTURE IN BENUE STATE

Nigeria is still at the clutch of a growing national HIV/AIDS pandemic, even with the drop in prevalence rate with an adult HIV Infection rate of 5.40% in 2005 to 3.10% in 2009 [AIDS AVERT (2010)]. Over all in Nigeria it is estimated that 3.6% of the population are living with HIV and AIDS, although HIV prevalence is much lower in Nigeria than in other African countries such as South Africa and Zambia, the size of Nigeria’s population (around 149 million: 2006 census), means that by the end of 2009 there were almost 3 million people living with HIV.          Approximately 192,000 people died from AIDS in 2009. With AIDS claiming so many lives, Nigeria’s life expectancy has declined significantly. In 1991 the average life expectancy was 54 years for women and 53 years for men. In 2009 these figures had fallen to 48 for women and 46 for men. According to AIDS Information online, as at 2010, it is estimated that 2.38-2.4 million adults aged 15-49 years are living with HIV virus in Nigeria today, of which approximately 53.85% are women.  Most of these people will fall sick and die within the next 5-10 years.

Benue state “The Food Basket of The Nation” located in north central Nigeria, where most arable production takes place in the country. Unfortunately this region and Benue State in particular has been recording one of the highest levels of infection rate, (16.8% in 1999; 13.5% in 2001; 9.3% in 2003; and 10.0% in 2007 & 2009) [DFID/BNARDA, 2004 & AIDS AVERT, 2010]. This growth rate is having a devastating impact on individual lives and livelihoods. HIV and AIDS is not the only crisis the rural people have to deal with. The downturn in the economy of nations is hitting Benue State.  Investment in infrastructure, water, health and education facilities are limited, resulting in poor basic service delivery or no service at all. The economy of Benue State mostly depends on Agriculture, Agro-related activities like processing, trading and casual labour, and migration. The high prevalence rate of Benue State is expected to adversely affect individuals as well as state development, farming is under great stress due to worsening terms of trade, and input markets that are non-functioning; farming has become more labour intensive per unit harvest, a development that increases the vulnerability, demanding an urgent attention.

HIV/AIDS has no boundary as it is already exerting its damage in this important industry. There are probably very few households that have not been affected in some way by HIV/AIDS.  The pandemic is likely to affect all households of all wealth and diverse categories; with 29% of its population already living in extreme poverty with another 36% considered moderately poor, (FOS, poverty profile 1999, in Holhorst Ogwimulle, 2003).

Another alarming implication of the HIV pandemic is the emergence of large numbers of orphans. With this high rate Benue is not free. By 2000 it was estimated that there were approximately 139,000 orphans in Benue and by the end of 2010, there will be well over 683,000 Orphans (Ssengonzi and Moreland 2001). Considering widespread level of stigma still attached to HIV/AIDS the current statistics available might not be 100% accurate, it might likely have been underestimated. The state is supposed to be the food basket of the nation, and if the current trend of HIV/AIDS continues without a coordinated effort to manage the situation, then we would not reach the enviable heights of the sole food basket of the nation.     

This calls for urgent action. In 2010 yours truly carried out an academic research to check the impact of the virus on Agriculture in Benue State-Nigeria; this study evaluated the impact of HIV/AIDS on agricultural development in Benue State using Gwer-East Local Government Area of the state as a case study.  Data were collected from 120 respondents who were randomly selected from seven sites using a structured questionnaire. Objective I to IV and the null hypotheses were analyzed using a descriptive statistic, chi – square and t – Statistical test. The result of the chi – square test showed that HIV/AIDS impact on household agricultural productivity was statistically significant (< 0.05). A paired analysis of income, orphans events, number of dependents and farm sizes of both AIDS affected household and Non-AIDS affected household using t – test and simple percentage showed a significant difference between AIDS affected household and Non-AIDs affected household. It was significant at 5%, thus suggesting AIDS places economic burdens on AIDS affected households than Non-AIDS affected households. Field study revealed that factors such as poverty, food insecurity, economic instability, orphans & vulnerable children (OVC), stigma, negative influence of the elite, lack of political will, conflict, unethical medical practice, labour-migration, inadequate rural infrastructure, corruption and poor media coverage were identified as major factors that made the study area vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Although there is a general expression of concern about the AIDS epidemic by state, LGA, community and religious leaders, however when one looks at efforts on ground how limited they are, one will ask if the political will to act decisively to prevent further spread of HIV and deal with the consequence of the epidemic is really there? Based on these discoveries the study made several recommendations, one of which . Finally what is local is original, is the thrust of the researcher’s recommendation; meaning if support is built on existing local initiatives and frameworks, and avoidance of burgoos importation of ideas from other lands which cannot be sustained, coupled with taking effective action now the projected damage on the economy and life of the people by HIV/AIDS between now and the next decade will be avoided or reduced.

For a complete work, mail on Oni, Isaac omojomi@gmail; a copy will be available soonest on wiki space (ogikit.wikispaces.com) watch out!