The Impact of Rural-Urban Migration on Poultry Production in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Subject Areas : Rural and Agricultural Sociology

Albert  Ofuoku ¹ (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, 2Department of Animal Science, Delta State University, Asaba Campus,P.M.B. 95074, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria)
Oghenesuvwe  Okpara ² (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, 2Department of Animal Science, Delta State University, Asaba Campus,P.M.B. 95074, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria)
Oghenebrorhie  Obakanurhe ³ (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, 2Department of Animal Science, Delta State University, Asaba Campus,P.M.B. 95074, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria)

Received: 2016-06-22 Accepted : 2016-12-25 Published : 2017-01-01

Keywords: Rural-Urban Migration, broiler farming, labour shortage, foregone revenue, poultry production,

Abstract :

This study was conducted to reveal the impact of rural-urban migration on broiler production in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Data were collected from 795 household heads and farmers/managers/supervisors of 25 selected broiler farms in the study area. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis was utilized to analyze the data. Able bodied young men constituted most of the rural-urban migrants. All the broiler farmers visited except 5 experienced labour shortage. Consequent upon labour shortage, most of the farms could not stock birds up to full capacity of their pens. This translated into foregone revenue for the poultry farms. Rural-urban migration significantly and positively correlated with shortage of labour, under stocking and foregone revenue. It was recommended that the States governments in the Niger Delta Region should embark on infrastructural development for the rural areas and encourage farmers to adopt mechanized/automated poultry farming operations in collaboration with donor agencies so as to make provision for lost labour in the broiler farming.

References:

1. Adewale, J. G. (2005). Socio-economic factors associated with Urban-rural migration in  Nigeria: A case study of Oyo  State, Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 17 (1): 13 – 16.


2. Afolabi, M. O. (2007).  Rural-urban migration and production in Nigeria agricultural sector.  M.P.P.     thesis, Simon Frazer University, Burnaby, B. C., Canada.


3. Ekong, E. E. (2003).  An introduction to rural sociology.  Uyo Nigeria: Dove Educational        Publishers.


4. Essang, S. M and Mabawondu, A. F. (1981).  Impact of urban migration on rural development:  Theoretical consideration and empirical evidence from Southern Nigeria.  New York: Rockefeller.


5. Hathaway, D. E. (1964).  Migration from agriculture: The historical record and its meaning.  In   Eicher, C. L.   and. Witt, L (Ed).  Agriculture in Economic   Development, Pp.23 -29.  New York: McGraw-Hill.


6. International Labour Organization and Cornell University ILR Schol. (2005).  Child Labour in Latin  America.  Ithaca, New York: Cornell University.


7. ILO. (2014).  Child Labour in Agriculture.  Geneva: International Labour Organization.


8. Kandle, D. (2003). Differential impacts of migration on agriculture: A Comparative Study of Male headed and female headed households in Western Mid-Hills of Nepal.  Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Dept. of Agricultural  Extension and Rural Sociology, IAAS, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepel.


9. Mini, S. E. (2000).  The impact of rural-urban migration on rural economy in rural villages.   Retrieved October 12, 2010. http.//www.onlinenigeria.com/links/agricadev.asp?blurb=481.


10. Nicholls, W. H. (1964).  The place of agriculture in economic development.In Eicher, C. and Witt, L.(Eds).  Agriculture in Economic Development. Pp. 11 – 118 New York: McGraw-Hill.


11. Ofuoku, A and Chukwuji, C. O. (2012).  The impact of rural-urban migration on plantation agriculture in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.  Journal of Rural Social Sciences, 27(1): 137 – 151.


12. Okagbare G. O and Akpodiete, O. J. (1999).  The State of poultry in Nigeria.  S. I. Omeje (ed.).  Issued in animal science. Pp. 42 – 51.  Enugu: Rankenedey Scientific Publication.


13. Okunaiya, C. A. (1986).  The effects of national livestock policy on the Poultry industry in Nigeria. In Edunike, G. N. (ed). poultry management during Socio-economic depression:  The Nigeria situation. Pp. 16 – 20. Abuja: Federal Ministry of Agriculture


14. Oluyemi, T. A. and Taiwo, A. (1986).  Ibadan: Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan.


15. Ray, D. P. (2004).  “Effects of Labour migration on agricultural production in Mahottari District.”  Unpublished M. Sc. Thesis, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, IAAS, Rampur Chitwan, Napel.


16. Tadaro, M. P and Harris, M. (1971).  “Income expectations, rural-urban migration and employment in Africa.”  International Labour Review, 104 (5): 12 – 24.


17. Tuan, F., Agazi, S and Xinshen, D. (2000).  Rural labour migration, characteristics, and employment patterns: A study based on China’s agricultural census.  Trade and Macroeconomics Division Discussion Paper No. 63. Washington, D. C., U.S.A.: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).


18. Udo, R. K. (1970).  Migration in Nigeria.  Nigeria Magazine, 103: 4 – 8.


19. Von Braun, J. (2004).  Towards a renewed focus on rural development. Agriculture and Rural Development,11(2):4–6.