Socio-economic consequences of intra-rural migration

Abstract

Intra-rural migration is not an insignificant phenomenon. Apart from being fairly substantial, it has also positive and negative effects on the migrantrs farming performance and on the agricultural economy as a whole. Positively, there is a substantial hectarage increase per migrant after migration than before migration which potentially signify a better economic state; there is also an increase in the individual shamba ownership status which gives the migrant greater and free farming exploitation latitude including morgaging for development capital; the number of families who employ others for labour also increases, which is a contributory factor to the general employment situation in the rural areas; there is, further, an indication towards increased agricultural productivity given migrant devotion to farming and available capital investment. On the negative Side, haphazard intra-rural migration can cause disruption in agricultural production continuity especially when a migrant is already well established on his original holding. -This type of migration can also have an adverse effect on the migrantts own socio-economic position. We argue, on the basis of the above factors that in order to improve loop-holes in the intra-rural migration which would lead to disruption in the agricultural production continuity, migrant adjustment efforts must be tightened in terms of (a) efficient and ample extension education service, (b) credit facilities which take into consideration the

migrant's unique problems, (d) welfare facilities and where appropriate. (c) (e) ample marketing facilities, careful migrant selection What comes alight is the complete lack of useful statistical information on intra-rural migration in terms of farm incomes, records of residence and migration indices and employment generation which we would like to recommend for further investigation.