Bridging the gap between healthcare service and agricultural productivity: pathway for rural development in Nigeria

Agriculture remains a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s economy, with rural households heavily reliant on farming for sustenance and income. However, poor health outcomes and limited access to healthcare services significantly hinder agricultural productivity. This study investigates the synergy between access to healthcare services and agricultural productivity among farming households in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to select 720 farming households in Southwest, Nigeria. Using a two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression model, the study examines how access to healthcare services influences farm productivity, employing distance to healthcare facilities as an instrumental variable. The findings reveal that farmers who utilize healthcare services exhibit higher productivity levels than those who do not. Specifically, the treatment group (households accessing healthcare services) reported a significantly higher value of farm produce sales (₦141,775.90) compared to the control group (₦102,430.11). Notable, major determinants of agricultural productivity include farm size, farming experience, cooperative membership, and access to health extension services, while distance to healthcare facilities negatively impacts healthcare utilization. The study highlights that frequent health-related incapacitation leads to labour loss and reduced efficiency, reinforcing the importance of an integrated approach to health and agriculture. Policy interventions such as mobile health clinics, community-based health insurance, and agricultural-health synergies could mitigate the adverse effects of poor health on agricultural output. Bridging the healthcare-agriculture divide is imperative for sustainable economic growth, improved food security, and poverty reduction in Nigeria.