EFFECT OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION AMONG YOUTHS ON AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN TWO LGAs IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined rural-urban migration among youths on agricultural and rural development in Kaduna state, Nigeria. It ascertain the push factors, age bracket, economic effects of rural-urban migration and reliable strategies to reduce migration of youths from rural to urban areas. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 80 respondents from 8 communities in 2 local government areas. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the study’s objectives and hypotheses. Results revealed that the average age, household size, farm size and farm experience was 32.38 years, 9 persons, 3.4ha. and 13.06 years respectively. Poverty level of the people, low income level of the people and education were amongst the push-factors to rural-urban migration. The average farm earnings of the farmers before and after rural–urban youth migration was N300,000 and N160,000 respectively. Some of the strategies to curb rural-urban migration were provision of farm inputs to farmers, making agricultural extension services available to the farmers and provision of social amenities / infrastructure in the rural areas. Gender, age, level of education, household size and annual farm income were the variables found to be significant to difference in income of farmers earnings before and after youth migration. The study thus recommends government’s provision of the needed and adequate farm inputs to farmers for their farm operations, and as well encourage old and new entrepreneurs in the rural areas with business promotion strategies that would help boost their businesses and as well create job opportunities to the ruralites.