International migration, remittance and food security during food crises: the case study of Nigeria

Abstract

The paper argues for the need to integrate the linkages between migration, remittances and food crises in the migration-food security literature. Food crises that are exacerbated by erratic climatic changes, violence and other uncertainties are important drivers of international migration. Research on the impact of migration and remittances on food security has grown lately, but it is arguably not comprehensive in its approach. The role of remittances in improving household food security experience during food crises is a vital stream being neglected, and the impact of remittances on food security over a long-term is yet to be studied comprehensively. To fill this gap, we analysed the case study of Nigeria using a World Bank Living Standards dataset, and followed an instrumental variable approach. Our results showed that remittance is valuable in meeting both short and long-term food security, and it is a veritable instrument for meeting household food security during food crises. It is particularly crucial for female-headed households who are more vulnerable to food insecurity. Although it does not significantly improve dietary diversity, households receiving remittances are less likely to adopt unhealthy coping practices such as eating less nutritious food, and less likely to be worried about meeting household food requirements due to lack of money. We conclude that remittances do not only smoothen consumption; it also places households on higher food security equilibrium during food crises.

Tackling Food and Nutrition Insecurity among Rural Inhabitants: Role of Household-Level Strategies with a Focus on Value Addition, Diversification and Female Participation

“…Foreign remittance is an important source of income for maintaining food security in Pakistan [27]. Obi et al [28] also stated that foreign remittances positively contribute to the food security of the receiving households. The third strategy considered in off-farm income strategies is the value addition of dairy products, such as the conversion of milk to yogurt, butter, and cheese.…”

Mapping disruption and resilience mechanisms in food systems

“…This is observed for example in the harvest of high value commodities such as asparagus in Germany by migrant workers from eastern Europe or in the harvest of cereals in the intensive rice-wheat systems of the western part of the Indo-Gangetic plains by migrant workers from states of eastern India (Aggarwal et al 2001 ). Disruption in the mobility of seasonal labourers obviously has consequences other than just a disruption in stability of production: this has massive and immediate impacts on the income and welfare of poor, vulnerable, and displaced people, as well as the families to whom they may send remittances (Regmi and Paudel 2017 ; Obi et al 2020 ).…”

“…Disruption in the mobility of seasonal labourers obviously has consequences other than just a disruption in Fig. 3 Schematic of the agricultural production process (modified from Van Keulen and Wolf 1986, p. 7) stability of production: this has massive and immediate impacts on the income and welfare of poor, vulnerable, and displaced people, as well as the families to whom they may send remittances (Regmi and Paudel 2017;Obi et al 2020).…”

The importance of the traditional milpa in food security and nutritional self-sufficiency in the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico

“…Out-migration from the state of Oaxaca intensified in the late 1960s and led to demographic declines in various communities [ 54 ]. Low food security can trigger migration processes, and migration, in turn, can support agricultural activities through remittances [ 55 , 56 ] or increase households’ capacities to buy food [ 57 – 59 ]. At the same time, the departure of a family member reduces labor availability, decreases pressure on resources, and increases food availability [ 60 ].…”