An Appraisal of the Impact of Smallholder Agricultural Commercialisation on Rural-Urban Migration in Nigeria

Abstract

Agriculture is the primary source of employment for rural dwellers in Nigeria.  Commercialisation of the smallholder farmers increase the number of employment created in rural areas. Rural-urban migration is attributed to government neglects of agricultural sector and lacks of economic opportunities in rural areas.  This paper examines the impacts of smallholder agricultural commercialisation on rural-urban migration in Nigeria using secondary data. The paper showed that commercialisation of smallholder agriculture leads to increase in income of the rural households and creating employment for rural dwellers to reduce rural–urban migration.  The paper recommends that government should provide accessible financial loans scheme to support smallholder agricultural commercialisation.  Government should have a policy reform that will foster private-public partnership investment in agriculture and agribusiness in the country. Special funding model to support youth led agricultural initiatives should be establish in the Nigeria. Agricultural Extension System should be well-funded to support smallholder commercial farmers.

Keywords: Agriculture, commercialisation, smallholders, rural-urban migration, Nigeria