International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Management. Volume 2, Number 1 (2012), pp. 27-36 © Research India Publications http://www.ripublication.com Effects of Malaria on the Farm Income of Rural Households in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State *Adesope O.M., *Ifeanyi-Obi C.C., *Ugwuja V.C. and **Nwakwasi R. *Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of port Harcourt, Nigeria **Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri Corresponding Author’s E-mail: omadesope@yahoo.co.uk Abstract Malaria is one of the commonest tropical diseases plaguing the African continent and the rural areas of the continent in particular. Hence this study was carried out to analyze the effects of malaria on the overall farm income of the rural households, the level of awareness and use of modern preventive measures of treating malaria in Ekeremor Local Government Area, classified as rural in Bayelsa State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed for the research in which the first level stratification involved the random selection of four villages, and the second level of stratification was the selection of twenty five households each from the villages. A total number of hundred respondents were finally used for data analysis using both descriptive and multiple regression techniques. Low level awareness (56%), use of modern preventive measures (12%), poor sanitary conditions, and large household sizes (8 persons), were the major factors responsible for the high malaria incidence in the rural household. The increase in malaria incidence however had a significant effect on the income of the farmers through increase in the number of days of incapacitation. The recommended polices arising from the economic implications of these empirical findings were that public enlightenment under the aegis of the “Roll Back Malaria Campaign” should be intensified in rural households. Farmers on their part should keep clean environment. Keywords: malaria, farm income, rural households