Effect of Rural-Urban Construction Labour Supply on Agriculture in Nsukka Urban Area, Enugun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: The study assessed the effect of urban construction labour supply on agriculture in Nsukka urban, Enugu State, Nigeria. Study Design: Simple random sampling technique was employed to select respondents for the study. Methodology: The population of the study included all rural labourers, (male and female) in construction industries in Nsukka urban area. Two major labour assembly points where visited at different parts of the city to collect data. Using simple random sampling technique, 60 labourers were selected randomly from each point given a total sample size of 120 respondents used for the study. Structured interview schedule was employed to collect data. Data was analysised using descriptive statistics. Results: Majority (79.2%) of the respondents were males. Only 5.8% had no formal education. The mean job experience of the workers was 14 years. Effect on agriculture included loss of family labour (M=2.15), decrease in farm practices (M=2.31), increase in standard of living (M=2.21), loss of farm lands (M=1.92) and reduction on agricultural production (M=2.37). Land area cultivated (< 1 hectare) after joining the construction industry by majority (64.0%) of the respondent had reduced drastically as compared to 1.1-2 hectares cultivated by 85% of the respondents 10 years ago (before migrating to construction industry). The study shows that lack of job security, industrial accidents, delayed payment/low wages, absence of written contract agreement accounted for some of the risk being faced by the construction industry workers. It further encapsulate some benefits enjoyed by the respondents to include earning extra income, payment of children school fees, owning new residential building, improved family nutrition among others. It is therefore recommended that soft loan should be provided to rural dwellers to enable them engage fully in agricultural activities, also, provision of job opportunities as well as social amenities should be provided in the rural areas to curtail migration to urban areas.