Effects of Migration on the Livelihood of Rural Households in the Kpando District of the Volta Region
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to assess the causes of labour migration, low food
crop production and remittance linkages on the livelihood of rural households in the
Kpando District. The researcher used survey design to elicit information from 202 heads
of non-migrants’ households within the study area. The households used for the study
were selected by cluster sampling and information was elicited from them through
personal interview and a structured questionnaire. Data for this study were edited, coded
and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) and inferential
statistics. The New Economics of Labour Migration, the “Push- Pull” Model and Todaro
Model of Migration were used. The sustainable livelihood framework was used to
analyse the effects. The results revealed that, majority of rural households in Kpando
district were involved in migration, and migration is an important part of their income.
Findings showed that people may decide to migrate when their rural economy is
disrupted. Such decisions could be as a result of natural catastrophe such as: flood,
drought, insects and pests’ infestation, disease problems, infertile soil, lack of arable
land for cultivation, communal clashes, family dispute and other adversities. The study
found out that migration and remittance showed statistical significant difference
compared to agricultural income, hence the decision to migrate. The results obtained
from the study on the impact of migration on food crop production, come to validate all
three theories. Findings revealed that farmers do not have access to financial support, the
few farmers who had financial support from various sources had said it was inadequate
for optimum production. The migration of people from food crop production areas
affects food crop production negatively - high cost of human labour, increasing the cost
of food production in the study area.
Description
Thesis(MPHIL)-University of Ghana, 2015
Keywords
Migration, Rural Households