13/07/2024
8 WAYS NIGERIA CAN RAISE FARM PRODUCTIVITY AND BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH.
Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous country in the world by 2050, according to a report released by the UN. And to avoid continued mass hunger, our food production rate needs to grow by 60% to feed the entire nation.
In spite of the oil, agriculture still remains the largest sector of the Nigerian economy. In a 2016 report by CBN, Agric accounts for 29.1 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, providing the main source of livelihood for about 80% of her population and employment for two-thirds of the entire labour force.
For years, the value-added per capita in the agric sector has risen by less than 1 percent annually and this is as a result of the multipronged challenges this sector has been faced with part of which includes: low level of irrigation development, an outdated land tenure system that constrains access to land, limited adoption of research findings and technologies and many more. It is estimated that Nigeria loses USD 10 billion in annual export opportunity from palm oil, groundnut, cocoa and cotton alone due to continuous decline in the production rate of those commodities.
So what can be done to boost the agricultural productivity of the country? The following points below highlight eight (8) major factors to increase agricultural productivity and boost economic growth in Nigeria.
1. Transport facilities:
A better transport system is needed to facilitate the farmers to produce new farm inputs and enable them to sell their products within the country. The implementation of this policy would increase revenue for the farmers which will in turn stimulate their interest to adopt better farm technology with sufficient proceeds.
2. Irrigation facilities:
Crop productivity is not only dependent on the quality of input but also on the irrigation facilities being put in place. Tube wells and canals should be well-constructed to enhance better control measures for natural disasters such as flood.
3. Provision of Improved tools and equipment: Farming is much slower and less productive due to the unavailability of new and improved technology to the farmers. As of today, majority of the farmers still make use of crude tools which shouldn’t be. Hand-operated fertilizer drills, harrows, combined harvesters, tractors, hand-operated planters are typical machines that can improve productivity.
4. Soil improvement: Some crops require certain soil conditions for productivity. Example soil that is good for groundnut may not be good for rice. More steps should be taken to improve the soil. Science and technology give more insight into the nature of the soil and how it can improve.
5. Agricultural education
In order to guide and advise farmers on the adoption of new technologies, provision should be made for agricultural education and extension services. This would help farmers take care of crops, which would increase crop productivity.
6. Supply of better manure seeds
Farmers should be familiar with the benefit of chemical fertilizers through exposures and these inputs should be easily accessible through cooperative societies and panchayats. Liberal supplies of insecticides and pesticides should be distributed cheaply throughout the countryside.
7. Land Availability for Agriculture
The government should take more action to make land available to farmers who need it. Government statements should be accompanied by an action plan that will make land accessible to farmers. Due to the rising cost of land, less land is available for many farmers who have the potential to promote agricultural productivity.
8. Awareness building
Steps should be taken to make local people aware of these government programs. This can be done by the government using different communication models. It is not enough for the government to put these programs in place, but it is also necessary to inform the general public.
8 WAYS NIGERIA CAN RAISE FARM PRODUCTIVITY AND BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH.
Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous country in the world by 2050, according to a report released by the UN. And to avoid continued mass hunger, our food production rate needs to grow by 60% to feed the entire nation.
In spite of the oil, agriculture still remains the largest sector of the Nigerian economy. In a 2016 report by CBN, Agric accounts for 29.1 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP, providing the main source of livelihood for about 80% of her population and employment for two-thirds of the entire labour force.
For years, the value-added per capita in the agric sector has risen by less than 1 percent annually and this is as a result of the multipronged challenges this sector has been faced with part of which includes: low level of irrigation development, an outdated land tenure system that constrains access to land, limited adoption of research findings and technologies and many more. It is estimated that Nigeria loses USD 10 billion in annual export opportunity from palm oil, groundnut, cocoa and cotton alone due to continuous decline in the production rate of those commodities.
So what can be done to boost the agricultural productivity of the country? The following points below highlight eight (8) major factors to increase agricultural productivity and boost economic growth in Nigeria.
1. Transport facilities:
A better transport system is needed to facilitate the farmers to produce new farm inputs and enable them to sell their products within the country. The implementation of this policy would increase revenue for the farmers which will in turn stimulate their interest to adopt better farm technology with sufficient proceeds.
2. Irrigation facilities:
Crop productivity is not only dependent on the quality of input but also on the irrigation facilities being put in place. Tube wells and canals should be well-constructed to enhance better control measures for natural disasters such as flood.
3. Provision of Improved tools and equipment: Farming is much slower and less productive due to the unavailability of new and improved technology to the farmers. As of today, majority of the farmers still make use of crude tools which shouldn’t be. Hand-operated fertilizer drills, harrows, combined harvesters, tractors, hand-operated planters are typical machines that can improve productivity.
4. Soil improvement: Some crops require certain soil conditions for productivity. Example soil that is good for groundnut may not be good for rice. More steps should be taken to improve the soil. Science and technology give more insight into the nature of the soil and how it can improve.
5. Agricultural education
In order to guide and advise farmers on the adoption of new technologies, provision should be made for agricultural education and extension services. This would help farmers take care of crops, which would increase crop productivity.
6. Supply of better manure seeds
Farmers should be familiar with the benefit of chemical fertilizers through exposures and these inputs should be easily accessible through cooperative societies and panchayats. Liberal supplies of insecticides and pesticides should be distributed cheaply throughout the countryside.
7. Land Availability for Agriculture
The government should take more action to make land available to farmers who need it. Government statements should be accompanied by an action plan that will make land accessible to farmers. Due to the rising cost of land, less land is available for many farmers who have the potential to promote agricultural productivity.
8. Awareness building
Steps should be taken to make local people aware of these government programs. This can be done by the government using different communication models. It is not enough for the government to put these programs in place, but it is also necessary to inform the general public.
