Embracing Agriculture in Nigeria PDF

EMBRACING 1 AGRICULTURE BY PROF. S.A. ABOLUSORO 2 1. Concept of Agriculture  Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock.  It includes the preparation of land and animal products for people use an...

EMBRACING 1 AGRICULTURE BY PROF. S.A. ABOLUSORO 2 1. Concept of Agriculture  Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock.  It includes the preparation of land and animal products for people use and their distribution to markets. 3  Agricultural sector comprises of establishments primarily engaged in growing crop, raising animals and harvesting fish and other animals from a farm, ranch or their natural habitats. 4 2. History of Agriculture in Nigeria  Agricultural practices in Nigeria predates colonial era.  Subsistence agriculture was dominant before the inception of colonial rule.  In this enterprise, food production featured prominently and there was self- sufficiency in the food supply. 5  However, during the colonial era, major crops include beans rice, sesame, cashew nuts, cassava, cocoa beans, groundnuts, gum arabic, kola nut, maize (corn), melon, millet, palm kernels, palm oil, plantains, rice, rubber, sorghum, soybeans, bananas, and yams. 6  Before the colonial masters arrived in the area later named Nigeria, our forefathers engaged primarily in farming as a major occupation and means of sustenance.  Despite using crude farm implements, enough food was produced to feed the population then.  Cash crops were also produced for barter system of trade across the Sahara and the Atlantic Ocean. 7  The economic crises experienced in Nigeria today have historical antecedents.  The British Navy attacked Lagos, Nigeria, in 1851 and by 1861, Lagos became a British crown colony.  One of the major reasons why Britain colonized Nigeria was to ensure a cheap and steady supply of raw materials to British industries. 8  The colonial administration completely discouraged the cultivation of food crops while encouraging cash crop productions.  They diverted attention away from local creative potentials and resources by forcing on the production of primary resources needed by the Europeans. 9  The colonizing powers in Nigeria ensured the specialization of the country in primary production by adopting a system of quotas and tariffs which heavily favored unprocessed primary commodities from the country.  The Nigerian colonial economy depended on three major export crops. 10  They were Cocoa, Palm produce and Groundnuts which accounted for about 70% of Nigeria’s total export in colonial times.  Farm produce from Nigeria was exported to Britain and other European countries under trade terms decided by the colonial authorities. 11  The implication of the British colonial agricultural programs that emphasized the production of cash crops for export and nothing to promote foodstuff production was seriously noticed in the post-independence economy of Nigeria.  Nigeria became poorer and more dependent on British merchants, the commercial firms in Europe grew richer. 12  While agriculture was the mainstay of the colonial economy, the emphasis was on export and not on food production.  The present food crisis in Nigeria could, therefore, be traced partly to the advent of British colonialism which changed the focus and objective of production away from food. 13  Prior to this period, there was enough food for the Nigerian people.  But the incentive created by the demand for raw materials made the local population be inadvertently complacent about food production and there was not enough food for accumulation and export. 14  The Nigerian economic landscape became dominated by the groundnut pyramids in Northern Nigeria; cocoa warehouses in the West and the palm produce stores of the Eastern region.  These features were detrimental to the production of adequate quantities of rice, maize, and cassava for consumption by the people. 15  Despite Nigeria’s enormous potential in agriculture, the country still lost its place in the global community as a major player in agriculture.  In the 1960s, Nigeria’s exalted position was distinct. That glory was visible for all to see. Nigeria accounted for 42% of the world's exports of shelled groundnuts. 16  Our total export volume was 502,000 MT. This declined to zero by 2008.  The major problem we had was aflatoxin which we did not bother to fix.  Nigeria lost its leadership position and was overtaken by the USA, China, and Argentina.  Nigeria was also the largest exporter of palm oil in the world and accounted for 27% of the global export volume for palm oil. 17  The total export volume for palm oil by Nigeria was 167,000 MT in 1961. This declined to 25,000 MT by 2008.  As the global export volume rose from 629,000 MT in 1961 to over 33 million MT in 2008.  Malaysia and Indonesia took over using the oil palm seedlings obtained from Nigeria.  Today, Malaysia earns $ 18 billion from the export of palm oil alone. 18  The neglect of the agricultural sector and almost total dependence on oil export has been a disaster for the country’s economy.  If Nigeria had held on to its market share in palm oil, cocoa, groundnut, and cotton, it would be earning today at least $10 billion per year from these commodities 19 3. Why Agriculture should be embraced  Agriculture should be embraced because of the social economic benefits attached to it. 20 These include: 1) Source of Livelihood 2) Contribution to National revenue 3) Supply of Food as well as Fodder 4) Significance to the International Trade 5) Source of Raw Material 6) Foreign Exchange Earnings 7) Employment Opportunities 8) Economic Development 21 1) Source of Livelihood  Most people’s main source of livelihood is farming. About 70% of people rely directly on agriculture as a mean of livelihood.  The result of the non-development of non- agricultural activities to absorb the fast- growing population is this high percentage in agriculture.. 22 2) Contribution to National revenue  Agriculture is the main source of national income for most developing countries.  However, for developed countries, agriculture contributes a smaller percentage to their national income. 3) Supply of Food as well as Fodder  The agricultural sector provides fodder for domestic animals.  The cow provides people with milk which is a form of protective food.  Moreover, livestock also meets people’s food requirements. 23 4) Significance to the International Trade  Agricultural products like sugar, cocoa, rice, spices, tobacco, coffee, etc. constitute the major items of exports of countries that rely on agriculture.  If there is a smooth development practice of agriculture, imports are reduced while export increases considerably. 24 5) Source of Raw Material  The main source of raw materials to major industries such as cotton and jute fabric, sugar, tobacco, edible as well as non-edible oils is agriculture.  Moreover, many other industries such as the processing of fruits as well as vegetables and rice husking get their raw material mainly from agriculture. 25 6) Foreign Exchange Earnings  The nation’s export trade depends largely on the agricultural sector.  For example, agricultural commodities such as jute, tobacco, spices, oilseeds, raw cotton, tea as well as coffee accounts for approximately 18% of the entire value of exports of a country.  This demonstrates that agricultural products also continue to be an important source of earning for the country’s foreign exchange. 26 7) Employment Opportunities  Construction of irrigation schemes, drainage system as well as other such activities in the agricultural sector is important as it provides larger employment opportunities.  The agriculture sector provides more employment opportunities for the labor force. This, in turn, reduces the high rate of unemployment in developing countries caused by the fast-growing population. 27 8) Economic Development  Since agriculture employs many people, it contributes to economic development.  As a result, the national income level, as well as people’s standard of living, is improved.  The fast rate of development in the agriculture sector offers progressive outlook as well as increased motivation for development.  Hence, it aids to create a good atmosphere for the overall economic development of a country.  Therefore, economic development relies on the agricultural growth rate. 28 THANKS FOR LISTENING