Effect of Jigger Infestation on Agricultural Productivity: a Case Study of Murarandia Division

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of jigger infestation on agricultural productivity among the farmers of Murarandia Sub County in Murang’a County. The study was guided by three specific objectives which are; to establish the extent of jigger infestation in Murarandia in Murang’a County, to analyze the effect of jigger infestation on agricultural productivity in Murarandia in Murang’a County and to provide recommendations on jigger menace handling to government and humanitarian policy makers. The population of the study consisted of 28,943 households in Murarandia division Murang’a County according to the 2009 Kenya census report. The sample size was 384 households. This study used primary data which was analyzed using STATA. Inferential analysis was achieved using an ordinary least square regression model. T-test was also used to test whether there was a statistical difference in the mean production of infected and uninfected labour. The study findings revealed that 67.35% of farmers in Murarandia Division in Muranga County are infected with Jiggers. That figure is higher than the prevalence rate of 4.5% of Kenya. Findings also indicated that when uninfected labour is used, then one unit of capital produces 2.072 units of annual production whereas when jigger infested labour is employed, then one unit of capital produces 1.235 units of annual production. The study findings revealed that more output is realized when uninfected labour is used (2.093 versus 1.3171 units). Jigger infested labour produces 0.7759 units less than uninfected labour. The study hence concluded that jigger infestation leads to low agricultural productivity among farmers of Murarandia Division in Muranga County. The study recommended that Muranga County government should create awareness about effects of jigger infestation through media campaigns. The county government should also have deliberate policies to treat, free of charge, those infested with jiggers. The county government in a bid to reduce the infestation rate should deliver fumigants to residents of the area. The study also recommended that the county government of Muranga should offer extensional training to farmers in a bid to improve agricultural productivity in the County.