The effect of out-migration on agricultural production and extended kin obligations: the case of Yakurr community in cross river state, Nigeria.

Abstract

The basic thrust of this paper is to examine if a correlation exists between out-migration with level of Agricultural production and the commitment to extended family obligations. It asserts that the further away one is from one’s place of origin/extended kin relations, the less his interest in extended family concerns. The major reason for this is because as individual migrate (especially in search of economic opportunities), they tend to acquire new values and a stronger concept of social mobility. This situation makes it a little difficult to exert pressure on the individuals from whom the demand is
made. The result of this out-migration of particularly young vibrant people from the rural homefront,is the loss of valuable farm labour,which translates to dwindling returns from the Agricultural sector-this is definitely not healthy for a community that is largely agrarian. To ameliorate this, there is a need to formulate and implement policies and programmes that would encourage rural dwellers, particularly young people, to stay back and work the land. This will act as a fillip to the dwindling resource base in rural communities