EFFECTS OF RURAL-URBAN YOUTHS MIGRATION ON MAJOR CEREAL CROPS PRODUCTION IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study analyzed the effects of rural-urban youth migration on major cereal crops production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 195 respondents that were proportionately drawn from four (4) zones and of the study area. Data were collected through the use of well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result show that majority (55.4%) the of respondents fell within the age bracket of 18-25 years with mean of 32 years and majority (69.7%) were males and married (50.3%) with a mean household size of 5.3 persons. Most of the respondent (60.0%) had farming as a primary occupation. Majority (57.4%) of the respondent were pushed to migrate by poverty, while, more than half (57.7%) of the respondents were pushed to migrate due to absence of social amenities in rural areas. The results of the Poisson regression revealed that age was negatively significant (P<0.01) and sex, marital status, household size, level of education, farming experience and access to credit were positively significant at (P<0.01) in influencing rural-urban migration. The findings also reveal that, annual income was positive and significant (P<0.01) in influencing youth rural-urban migration. The study concluded that age, sex, marital status, household size, level of education, farming experience, annual income and access to credit were the factors influencing youth rural-urban migration in the study area. The study therefore, recommended adequate physical and social infrastructure such as good roads, electricity, schools and hospitals should be put in place in rural areas by Kwara State government in order to encourage youths to remain in agriculture.