Tropentag 2023, September 20 - 22, Berlin, Germany "Competing pathways for equitable food systems transformation: trade-offs and synergies."

Climate change, translocal migration and adaptation of rural farm households in Arochukwu, southeast Nigeria

University of Ibadan, Dept. of Agricultural Economics , Nigeria

Abstract

The climate change phenomenon portends a huge burden to many communities in the global south, and continues to impact farming households who depend on agriculture for their sustenance. Farming households especially in the rural areas have no choice than to adapt even in the midst of slow-onset events. This study therefore assessed translocal patterns and networks; and examined how translocal migration influence adaptation to climate change in Arochukwu, Southeast Nigeria. To achieve the objective, a multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 387 migrant and non-migrant farming households, while a baseline survey was used in data collection. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive and empirical methods. Result of the analysis suggests that majority (40.96%) of translocal migrants migrated to towns and cities within the state (Abia), 30.12% of the migrants moved to cities within the Southeast, 24.1% migrated to cities outside the Southeast, while 4.82% migrated internationally. In terms of translocal networks and exchanges, result indicate that migrants at urban destinations send more money (46.01%) and less food/goods (29.75%) to their households in the place of origin, while the household in the rural area send more food/goods (51.28) and less money (26.19%) to the migrant at destination. In terms of adaptation and response to climate change variability, more translocal migrant household members migrate to urban areas (28.21%) during off farm seasons; while more non-migrant household members migrate to rural areas (39.72) during off farm seasons. The t-test result performed to compare the mean adaptation between translocal migrant and non-migrant household’s show that a significant difference exists between the two groups. Furthermore, the logistic model analysis showed that translocal migration significantly and positively influence adaptation. The study calls for a robust approach in the climate change and migration policy that will take translocal networks into consideration due to its potentiality for vulnerable households in the place of origin.

Keywords: Adaptation, climate change, translocal migration

Contact Address: Ikenna Ejiba, University of Ibadan, Dept. of Agricultural Economics , 3B Close, Karu, Abuja, 900104 Abuja, Nigeria, e-mail: victorejibayahoo.com