THE EFFECT OF POVERTY ON RURAL PEOPLE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Poverty had constituted a major social problem in our society particularly in rural areas. The society has not given serious thought as to what causes rural poverty and it’s effects on the rural inhabitants and how this problem could be solved.

The presence of poverty in the rural areas must be just because it is less visible or something on an not feel or touch and less documented. If there were no rural poverty there would be fewer migrants to the urban centers therefore poverty has been responsible for human distress like famine which has led many persons to come to nothing, not much has been devoted to the study of poverty as it is done to other social problems such as crime and divorce. It is on to note that the writer is going to focus his attention on poverty.

Poverty linked to other social problem in both causes and effects. It is believed that majority of the people are form the poorest section of the community and that poverty lead people to crime. Also employment and inadequate health service are the peasants major problems.

Industries are scarce in Gboko, hence the people are handicapped in finding jobs. In addition the people lack the basic skills necessary for industries employment so they are compelled to go into subsistence farming.

Even the rural people who have the greatest need for health service are allocated with clinics which hardly meet their needs.

The researcher is of the view that rural poverty is responsible for rural urban migration.

This study is not examining or suggesting a rural social change as found in societies or communities societies like clinic, rather it will focus on attentive model, of rural development in a capitalist system as done in America (USA). The researcher is not assuming that this is the best way to solve the problem of poverty . but he has chosen it because it is in practice in Nigeria and has not been experimented long enough assessed and found wanting mere so, other models adopted in other countries have not addressed the ideal result as well.

1.1            GENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Gboko Local Government Area is situated in the South East part of Benue State, the local government was created in 1951 by then.

The local government is blessed with mineral resources including limestone, lay etc.

The people of the local government are more of farmers producing crops such as rice, soyabeans, yam etc.

1.2            STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Rural poverty is looked upon by different individual and groups in various ways. It has been seen as a problem which is to be solved by the government and perhaps individuals or groups rather people look at poverty as a disgrace.

            Poverty has been with us for quite a long time not only in Gboko local government area, where the study is being conducted but the entire nation.

            Infact, so much has been written on the course and effects of this phenomenon in our contemporary society. Most of those writers concentrated their finding and writing at glance but as social human interest the problem still worries my mind even for that I want to carry out a research into the following?

1.                 What effects has the poverty in those in rural area?

2.                 What brought about poverty at the grass root level?

3.                 How can this problem be solved.