ABSTRACT
Survey research at the individual or micro-level has yielded findings regarding individual motivations and characteristics related to migration behavior. Excess growth of metropolitan areas is accompanied by unbalanced regional development, deterioration of the urban habitat, and destruction of natural resources. Prices, land distribution, agricultural inputs and credits, and even off-farm jobs are all potential or actual dimensions of a regional or national agricultural and economic development plan. The situation of migration refers to the particular set of circumstances in which the actual or potential migrants find themselves, while the setting refers to the overall social, economic, and political features of the social system in which the individuals are located. Only with information about both the setting and situation of migration will it be possible to fully understand why seemingly similar individuals adopt differing migration patterns. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
