Impact of Migrant Remittances on the Welfare of Arable Crop Farm Households in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study attempted to examine the impact of migrant remittances on the welfare of arable crop farm households. Primary data were collected from a random sample of 120 respondents comprising 60 each of migrants' remittance receiving and non-remittance receiving households through the cost route method. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, regression analysis and Chow's test statistic. Results of the analyses show that sex of household head, household size, household age composition, income and sector of employment were the significant factors influencing the welfare of the remittance receiving households while sex, years of education, composition of household work force and sector of employment were the significant factors influencing the welfare of the non-remittance receiving households. The Chow's test revealed that the remittance receiving households have higher welfare status than their non remittance receiving counterparts. Therefore, policies for enhancing migrant remittances and their optimum channeling and use were recommended. © Society for Human Ecology.