Effect of Youths Remittances on Rural Livelihoods in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of remittances on crop productivity and household welfare in Southeastern, Nigeria. Anambra and Imo states were purposively selected for their high rate in youth migration; and 714 households were used for the study. Data was analyzed using Endogenous treatment effect model. Wealth Index Score was used as a proxy for household welfare. The results of the study showed that employment status, sex of migrant, and age of migrant, sending remittance for buying of agricultural implements as well as paying for school  were the major factors that influenced sending of remittances by the youths to the originating households in the study area. Also, the average treatment effect (ATE) of remittances on household welfare was insignificant, implying that there was no significant difference between remittance and non-remittance households. However, the ATE of remittances on crop productivity was significant in the pooled states but not significant in the states. Youths should be encouraged to move into agriculture by removing the bottlenecks associated to agricultural production.