EFFECT OF RURAL YOUTHS MIGRATION ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN KONTAGORA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of rural youths’ migration on maize production in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of farmers; ascertain the causes of youths’ migration, determine the extent of youths’ migration, access the effect of youths’ migration on maize production and identify the problems associated with youths’ migration in the area. To achieve these objectives, 120 maize farmers were randomly selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The result on socio-economic characteristics shows that majority (52.5%) of the respondents are still in their active age of between 21- 40 years with mean age of 39years. Equally, respondents were males (72.5%), married (77.5%) with Non formal education (40%). Only a few (18.3%) attained tertiary education. Similarly, majority (90%) had a household size of between 1 – 10 persons with average size of 6 persons per household. The average maize farming experience among the respondents was 17 years. The major causes of youths’ migration in the area includes: lack of employment opportunities (90%), furthering of education (77.5%), and lack of access to modern amenities (55%). The extent of Youths migration in the area is relatively moderate (45.8%) with averagely 31 youths leaving each village every year. The peak period of migration is usually during the off-season (50.8%). The result of the regression analysis shows Cob-Douglass as the lead equation. The result revealed that youths’ migration affect production negatively while labour, agro chemicals and fertilizer are positively significant. The problems of youths migration in the area include; loss of cultural values (75%), reduction in rural population (54.2%) and dull village life (47.5). To this end, youths’ migration limits maize production thus, government should provide functional schools and employment opportunities to engage rural youths.