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.