Impact of rural-urban migration among youth farmers of selected rural areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the impacts of rural-urban migration among youth farmers of selected rural areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria. The study used 80 respondents, sampled from 8 communities across 2 LGAs. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results revealed that the respondents mean age, household size, farm size and farm experience of 32 years, 8.6 persons, 3.46 ha and 13.6 years respectively. Rural youth migration was high (53.80%) and it has impacted on farm income (mean = 3.32), rural poverty (mean = 3.30), low level provision of basic amenities (mean = 3.22) and remittances to their families (mean = 3.13). Increase in economic activities (mean = 3.40), relative peace obtained in the urban areas (mean = 3.19) and reduction of poverty status of the urban residents were some reasons for youth migration. Socio-economic characteristics such as gender (b = 0.941; t = 0.06), age (b = -1.063; t = 0.41), level of education (b = 2.827; t = 0.19), farm experience (b = 1.544; t = 1.17) and annual farm income (-2.623; t = 0.491) were significant variables to the rate of youth migration. Also, significant correlation exists between difference in annual farm income and youth rural-urban migration. The study thus recommended that government needs to put in place policies that can guarantee the farmers with provision of ideal and improved inputs need by the farmers at subsidized rate and made available when needed.