Impact of COVID-19-induced rural-rural migration on agricultural productivity in Delta State, Nigeria

This study was embarked on to unveil the impact of COVID-19-induced migration on agricultural productivity in Delta State, Nigeria. This survey study involved rural arable crop farmers. Data were collected from households and community survey of 517 families through structured interview schedule (questionnaire administered by face to face interview). It was found that 41% and 30% of the present and second generations respectively, in receiving communities were immigrants. In receiving communities, 68% of the households were of the largest ethnic group compared to 95% fraction in sending communities. Households in sending communities had smaller farm sizes than those in receiving communities. In sending communities, 41% and 65% of the migrant and indigenous populations, respectively, contacted the disease, while there was no recorded case in receiving communities. The mean yield in receiving communities was higher than that in the sending communities. COVID-19 incidents and other factors influenced immigration to receiving communities. The soil and land factors in receiving communities also contributed to decision on migration. Migration increased agricultural productivity in receiving communities, while productivity was reduced in sending communities. However, other factors such as distance to farm, farm size, age of household head and assets also affected yields in sending and receiving communities. The policy implications are that government ought to have considered the fact that, naturally, farm families work while giving distances to themselves in farms. Communities need to participate in decisions on issues like this in the future to collectively, fathom a way out especially in rural communities

Upgrading Rural Youths' Capacity for Driving Shrimp-Based Agribusiness Value Chain in Nigeria

This study derives its significance from the current debate on ageing agricultural labour force in Nigeria and the need for capacity building of rural youth. This study investigates rural youth capacity for driving shrimp-based agribusiness development in Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from primary sources using a structured questionnaire with randomly selected 120 shrimp operators (harvesters, processors and marketers). Statistical analytical tools (descriptive and inferential statistics) were employed to analyze the collected data. Test of the hypothesis implies that the mean income earned by youth is significantly (p < 0.01) higher that the income of aged workforce in the shrimp agribusiness value chain. Further finding shows that human capital of youth (shrimp-oriented education, training, workshops attended and access to credit) has a positive and significant (p < 0.01) effect on their financial performance. Incentives such as loans and aquaculture-oriented education and regular workshops should be given to the rural youth to upgrade their capacity to drive the development of shrimp-based agribusiness in Nigeria in the future

Upgrading Rural Youths' Capacity for Driving Shrimp-Based Agribusiness Value Chain in Nigeria

This study derives its significance from the current debate on ageing agricultural labour force in Nigeria and the need for capacity building of rural youth. This study investigates rural youth capacity for driving shrimp-based agribusiness development in Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from primary sources using a structured questionnaire with randomly selected 120 shrimp operators (harvesters, processors and marketers). Statistical analytical tools (descriptive and inferential statistics) were employed to analyze the collected data. Test of the hypothesis implies that the mean income earned by youth is significantly (p < 0.01) higher that the income of aged workforce in the shrimp agribusiness value chain. Further finding shows that human capital of youth (shrimp-oriented education, training, workshops attended and access to credit) has a positive and significant (p < 0.01) effect on their financial performance. Incentives such as loans and aquaculture-oriented education and regular workshops should be given to the rural youth to upgrade their capacity to drive the development of shrimp-based agribusiness in Nigeria in the future