Using the production function approach to quantifying a disease burden, this
study evaluates the malaria burden on the Nigerian agricultural sector. Its results show
that the economic burden of malaria, in terms of lost agricultural output, may be as high
as N 3.953 million for every reported case of malaria per 100, 000 persons and therefore
colossal. This together with evidence from other related studies suggest that the
agricultural sector bears about 75 per cent of the direct economic burden of malaria in
Nigeria. This translates to about 3 per cent of the real GDP that is lost annually in
agricultural outputs to the malaria disease. This being the case, the government is
advised to make the rural areas, where majority of farmers reside, a priority in its
malaria control efforts.