Impacts of Rural-Urban Migration on Agricultural Development in Ekiti-State, Nigeria

Abstract

Oluwatoyin Matthew, Ayiti and Olabisi Christanah, Adedokun

Migration is a growing global concern with various effects and impacts. As structural transformation and concentration on other sectors and agricultural sector becomes smaller with lesser attention, the movement of people within and across countries becomes inevitable, especially in the rural areas where the major occupation and activity is farming. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine the impacts of rural agricultural development on rural-urban migration in Ekiti-State, and the following research objectives serves as guiding principles: to determine the impacts of rural agricultural development on the rural dwellers in Ekiti state, and to assess the contributory between the rural agricultural development on rural-urban migration in Ekiti state. 400 questionnaires were distributed in the 16 local governments, at 25 per local government. It was concluded that major causes of rural-urban migration from this study area are; seeking for urban job, seeking good education, lack of social amenities in the rural area, low income, seeking for skill and basic health care and the possible outcomes are; reduction in labour, high cost of labour, low agricultural productivity, low income and standard of living, poverty, and reduction in raw materials. The study recommends that social amenities, policies in favour of agricultural productivity should be made, agro-processing facilities and markets should be available, also, farm mechanization should be encouraged and subsidized through bodies and agencies.

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