Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Migration from farm families: Determinants and its impact on the rural livelihoods in Bangladesh

¹Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh
²Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Dept. of Industrial and Production Engineering, Bangladesh

Abstract

Migration is one of the important livelihood strategies particularly in rural Bangladesh for poor farm households to diversify their income for their survival. Internal migration particularly rural - urban migration are most predominant in the country whereas international migration is also significant from the farm familes to the overseas. The study area was covered three Upazilas –namely Karimganj, Tarail, and Nikli of Kishoreganj district in Bangladesh. A total of 246 respondents were purposively chosen, including 81 farm households with one or more internal migrants, 80 farm households with one or more international migrants and 85 farm households without any kind of migrants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The study employ a mixed – methods approach combining structured surveys for quantitative data with qualitative methods like focus group discussions and key informant interview. The data were analysed by using both descriptive statistics and econometric models. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyse the determinants of internal and international migration at the farm household level. The results shows that household head’s age, households head education and household size significantly- positively influenced internal migration decisions in the study areas. In case if international migration, along with demographic characteristics, households wealth status (own cultivable land and household asset) have significant positive influence on their migration decision. Our study findings reveal that farm households with either internal or international migrant member have achieved significant improvement in their different livelihood aspects (food, housing, sanitation, child education, health). On the contrary, farm households without any migrant member have shown limited improvement in different livelihood aspects compared to the households with migrant member. The study recommends addressing the proper policy issues for balanced regional development of the country so that migration decision always should not be a necessity. The findings also highlight the need for proper institutions for migration issues of the country to accrue the positive benefits of migration as well as to create a more supportive economic environment for migrant households for productive investment of their remittances.

Keywords: Bangladesh, farm families, internal, international, livelihoods, migration

Contact Address: Shamima Akhter, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Agricultural Economics, 2202 Mymensingh, Bangladesh, e-mail: s.akhter_bauyahoo.com