Migration, Remittances and Livelihood Systems of Farm Households in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the effects of remittances on the livelihood of farm households in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select 120 remittance recipient households used for the study. Data collection was effected by use of structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used in data analysis. The result showed that households whose heads are (1) in the middle to old age (51-70 years) and (2) not highly educated are more likely to produce migrants. Also families with large household sizes (six and above) migrated more. The most frequent channel for remittance delivery was hand carriage and both cash and non-cash remittances were received. Regression result showed that age of household heads as well as their levels of education affected migration. Other factors that affected migration are farm size and household size. The effect of remittance on families livelihood systems was found to be affected by the number of social organisations the household heads belong to, the age of household head, farm size and size of remittance that is invested.

Keywords: Remittance, livelihood, farm, households.