The study
also revealed that about 38% of women, and 35% of youth had higher
prevalence of HIV/AIDS and because women constitutes the highest percentage
among the youth group then that of men. In addition, the study found that
the age group prone to HIV/AIDS is 21-39 years which corresponds to most
sexually active age group. The study established that about 84% of
respondents agree that HIV/AIDS significantly affects their crops output
and income at5% level of significance. Generally, the common strategies
adopted by the respondents in coping with HIV/AIDS includes sales of family
assets, crops, labour; substitute expensive meals; live on less intake of
preferred food and withdrawal of children from school. It was established
that the general constraints affecting the HIV/AIDS infected farmers study
area were stigmatization, insufficient income, lack of means of income
(farm land), distance to medical care facilities and gender bias in terms
of job opportunities affects the respondents in managing their HIV/AIDS
status and crop production. It was concluded that HIV/AIDS has significant
economic effects on crops output and income of the respondents implying
that there might be a diverted attention, time and money in nursing the
HIV/AIDS patients and burial or funeral services instead of on crop
production. Consequently, it was recommended that poverty reduction
strategies or measures need to be taken seriously and given priority for
e.g., micro credit facilities for borrowing and the creation of sustainable
income for the people affected by HIV/AIDS, direct support and supply of
inputs need promptly at highly subsidized rate, intensification on
enlightenment campaign on abstinence and use of condom among this active
group, special package and programs towards alleviating or improving women
income conditions since they are the most affected or vulnerable group by
HIV/AIDS. Also, based on land ownership, income levels and gender which the
female fold suffers most, there is need to draw up legislation that can
protect the land rights of women and children who contributes in a great
measure to crop production development in Nigeria.