AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The significance of agriculture in expediting the process of economic growth and development of any given nation is of utmost importance. The sector in Nigeria has experienced significant neglect, which can be attributed in part to the windfall resulting from the discovery of oil in the 1970s and other structural rigidities. Nigeria is currently progressing towards modern development. Nigeria, which has adopted the moniker “giant of Africa,” must demonstrate its capabilities by elevating its standards to align with those of other rapidly developing global economies. The implementation of the vision 20-20-20 initiative by the nation is a significant stride towards accomplishing the objective. According to the seven-point agenda of Nigeria, the country is prioritising the development of agriculture as a crucial strategic manoeuvre (Omorogiuwa, Zivkovic, & Ademoh, 2014). Despite Nigeria’s elevated poverty rate, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) surpasses that of other African nations. Thus far, Nigeria has been lagging Western economies. In the present day, Nigeria, having achieved independence nearly half a century ago, ought to engage in economic competition with global economies, rather than solely with those of Africa. The nation possesses abundant natural resources and has acknowledged that implementing suitable measures can expedite its economic advancement. To achieve the status of a developed nation, Nigeria must accelerate its economic growth by prioritising key economic sectors such as education, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. In the current stage of Nigeria’s economic growth, it is advisable to prioritise the agricultural industry. According to Omorogiuwa, Zivkovic, and Ademoh (2014), Nigeria has the potential to accelerate its economic growth in the next decade by prioritising agricultural development. The concept of ‘development’ has been a subject of considerable scholarly discourse. At present, there is a widespread consensus that ‘development’ pertains to both the improvement of infrastructure and the advancement of social well-being among a population, including education and healthcare. Per capita income is a commonly employed and straightforward approach to assess the level of development. This can lead to an overabundance of imports due to increased supply. The concept of development, as posited by Gboyega (2003), encompasses all endeavours aimed at enhancing the quality of human life in various aspects.

At present, Nigeria possesses arable land to the extent of 75%, yet only 40% of it is utilised for agricultural purposes. This suggests that there is ample opportunity for the county to concentrate on. This pertains to the agricultural and food security aspect of their strategy, in conjunction with their emphasis on universal employment. To progress, it is imperative for the nation to enhance the suboptimal productivity of extant agricultural enterprises, foster competition within the agricultural domain, formulate domestic policies, and augment funding (Ayodele, Obafemi, & Ebong, 2013). An essential aspect of devising strategies to enhance Nigeria’s economic growth through agriculture involves assessing the country’s past agricultural initiatives since gaining independence. This measure will guarantee that the nation avoids the recurrence of previous errors. Furthermore, this evidence will ascertain the viability of agriculture as a key driver of economic growth in Nigeria. In addition to historical considerations, it is imperative to assess both endogenous and exogenous factors that may exert an influence on the agricultural market of Nigeria. Furthermore, it is imperative to ascertain the requisite methodologies for augmenting economic expansion through the utilisation of agriculture. The impact of alternative channels of growth on poverty reduction and overall economic growth in six African countries with low-income status was investigated in a recent collective study conducted by Diao, Xinshen, Hazell, Peter, and Thurlow (2009). The results of said study may also be relevant to Nigeria.

The study suggests that agricultural growth is more efficacious in mitigating poverty than industrial growth, because a significant proportion of the populace (approximately 70%) resides in rural localities. Diao et al observed that while the industrial sector plays a crucial role in stimulating economic growth, it falls short in generating adequate employment prospects for individuals with low skills and limited financial resources. According to Muhammed and Atte’s (2006) study, Nigeria’s primary challenges are attributed to their inability to access both natural and human resources. Muhammed et al investigated the growth of various sub-sectors within the agricultural industry and their respective contributions to the Nigerian economy from 1981 to 2003. The researchers also discerned the diverse factors that exert influence on the agricultural output at the national level in Nigeria. Muhammed et al (2006) discovered a negative coefficient between the values of food imports in their research. This phenomenon indicates that an increase in food imports within a country is typically accompanied by a decrease in domestic agricultural output. The study identified additional variables with a positive coefficient, suggesting that an increase in these variables would correspond with an increase in national agricultural production. It is recommended that the Nigerian government allocate significant resources towards the establishment of subsidised production units. The units comprise state-owned agricultural enterprises, privately-owned farms that have been commercialised, or capital-intensive ventures that rely on imported industrial machinery. According to Omorogiuwa, Zivkovic, and Ademoh (2014), Nigeria has the option to either allocate resources towards the establishment of extensive production facilities or implement a scheme that offers subsidised essential resources to small-scale farmers. The option exhibits rigidity, given that a significant proportion of the Nigerian workforce is engaged in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the capitalist mentality of manufacturing facility proprietors may lead to the exploitation of labour, the discouragement of entrepreneurship, and the widening of the income inequality gap.

The significance of transportation in agricultural advancement is widely recognised on a global scale. Transportation is the sole mechanism through which food cultivated at the farm site is conveyed to various households and markets. Transportation facilitates the development of markets for agricultural products, promotes economic and geographical interconnectivity, and enables the exploration of new areas for economic growth. The intricate associations between transport and development exhibit spatial and temporal variations. Transport is a critical factor in facilitating development. Nigeria’s agricultural growth and competitiveness are hindered by various structural bottlenecks. The primary issue at hand pertains to the inadequacy of policies, their instability, and the inefficiency of their implementation, as pointed out by Innocent (2008). In many instances, it arises from inadequate policy formulation or suboptimal execution of policy-mandated initiatives aimed at achieving desired outcomes. Consequently, this raises concerns regarding the proficiency and suitable allocation of necessary human resources in both the development and execution of policies. The agricultural productivity in Nigeria is hindered by an unfavourable service delivery environment and inadequate agricultural technology. The rate of technology adoption in the agricultural sector is relatively low. Igwe’s (2008) research demonstrates a favourable correlation between the proliferation of technology and the growth of rice and yam cultivation in Nigeria. However, the insufficient utilisation of suitable agricultural technology, inadequate agricultural service delivery infrastructure, and the absence of incentives for the private sector to establish input chains impede the advancement of competitive farming and agribusiness. Notably, the proper utilization or exploitation of the agricultural potential of Nigeria would significantly contribute to development in the country. This is because it would help reduce the issue of food security and revenue from agriculture can be deployed to create employment opportunities. In the same vein, the exportation of agricultural produce will contribute positively to the country’s economy. It will equally imply a diversion from Oil which has always been the nations go-to sector.

Recommendation

The agricultural sector is a crucial component of the economic growth and development of any nation. However, many developing economies, including Nigeria, have not fully utilised the opportunities presented by a properly organised agricultural sector to achieve higher levels of economic growth. It is recommended that the government implement initiatives and policies aimed at fostering robust collaborations between research institutions and higher education establishments. This will effectively address the growing disparity between theoretical knowledge and practical application. It is advisable for the government and its agencies to strive towards ensuring a stable and favourable exchange rate, as research has shown that this factor has a noteworthy positive impact on agricultural productivity. It is imperative for agricultural stakeholders to prioritise the establishment of agro-allied industries that facilitate the processing, preservation, and packaging of agricultural products for both domestic consumption and exportation. The aforementioned initiative is expected to incentivize domestic producers to actively participate in the agricultural sector, leading to the generation of employment opportunities and substantial foreign currency earnings for the nation.

References

Adebayo, A. (2010). Food security status in Nigeria: Pre and post economic deregulation           review.            International Journal of Economic Development Research and Investment, 1(1).

Ayodele, O., Obafemi, F., & Ebong, F. (2013). Challenges facing the achievement of the      Nigeria            vision. Global Advanced Research Journal of Social Sciences, 27, 143-157.

Diao, X., Hazell, P., & Thurlow, J. (2006). The role of agriculture in African development. World Development, 38(10), 1375-1383.

Gboyega, A. (2003). Democracy and Development: The Imperative of Local Governance. An            Inaugural Lecture, University of Ibadan, pp 6- 7.

Muhammad-Lawal, A., & Atte, O. A. (2006). An analysis of agricultural production in Nigeria.     African Journal of General Agriculture, 2.

Ofana, O., Efefiom, E., Omini, E. (2016). Constraints to Agricultural development in Nigeria.         International Journal of Development and Economic Sustainability, 4(2), 1-15.

Omorogiuwa, O., Zivkovic, J., & Ademoh, F. (2014). The role of Agriculture in the economic   development of Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, 10(4), 133-147.

Todaro, P., & Smith, C. (2006). Economic development. Boston, MA: Pearson Addison Wesley.

Photo Credits: https://guardian.ng/opinion/driving-sustainable-growth-in-nigerias-agricultural-sector/