EFFECTS OF OUT-MIGRATION ON SOCIOECONOMICS AND RICE FARMING AND PRODUCTION IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Objective
The paper examined the trends, factors and consequences of out-migration on rice production in selected rural communities of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The push-pull model and the dependency theory provided the theoretical underpinning.
Methodology
A mixed-methods approach was employed to collect both primary and secondary data. Primary data were generated through structured questionnaires administered to 200 respondents in Assakio (146) and Akurba (54) communities, this was complemented with the FGDs to capture the qualitative insights. Secondary data were obtained from relevant literature and previous studies. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multiple regression analysis. Qualitative data were content analysed.
Key Findings
The findings revealed that there was significant difference (χ² =12.46, p<0.05) in the age group distribution of the sampled population, with very low vivacious and young people. Female respondents (53.5%) overwhelmed the males (46.5%) while widowed (28.0%) and divorced (24.5%) were prominent. Muslims (34.5%), Christians (33.0%) and Traditional (32.5%) faithful were at par. Both communities recorded handful of nonliterates (44.0%). Aside from rice farming, schooling (24.5%) and trading (22.0%) were the preferred occupations. The Eggons (23.5%) dominated the ethnic group while respondents (20.0%) from Doma LGA overwhelmed others. Multiple Regression Analysis results (R² = 0.44, α = 0.000) depict that out-migration led to the shortage of labour, which have effect on rice farming and production. Over three-fifths (63.0%) of rice farming households did not receive any assistance, either from people or government. Reduced yields from rice farming were reported as the leading consequences of out-migration on rice farming in the study communities.
Practical Implications
The study established that out-migration cannot be halted and it is indeed a threat to rice production but mechanization and agricultural inputs will assist in improving rice farming of more lands with high yield.
Keywords: Out-migration, Socioeconomic milieus, Rice farming, Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
