(THE NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE)
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ABSTRACT
The study evaluated the role of agriculture in the economic development of a nation. The specific objectives of the study are to know the extent to which Nigeria is currently equipped to increase production in the agricultural sector, to examine the extent to which agriculture can add as a component of the country’s economic market, to determine now Nigeria can successfully diversity into agriculture, to find out the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Nigeria. The population of the study was made of the entire staffs of state and federal ministry of agriculture in Port Harcourt. Therefore the population of the study is unknown. The sample size of this study is judgmental sample of 100 respondents which comprise of both the senior and junior staffs of the state and federal ministry of agriculture in Port Harcourt. Data used in this study were obtained from two source namely, primary and secondary sources. Findings revealed that Agricultural sector has significant impact on economic development of Nigeria, and there is significant relationship between diversification into agriculture and economic development of Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study summary, conclusion and recommendations were made that in order to facilitate agricultural development, government should adopt an integrated approach which is a multidimensional strategy for improving the quality of the life of the people by supporting farmers so they can acquire machines and other farm equipments, Nigerians should be deeply involved in agriculture since it has positive impact on the economy, there is the need for training and retraining of the people to enhance the dissemination of new skills and ideas on the establishment, management and skills of small scale industries.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Even through Nigeria has a high poverty rate, it still has a higher GDP in comparison to other countries of Africa. Till now Nigeria has been trailing behind Western economics. Today, almost fifty years after garining independence, Nigeria should compete with economics of the world rather than just African economics.
The country is rich in natural resources and has identified that fact that taking appropriate measures can speed its economic development.
With this foresight, it crafted the vision 20 – 20 -20 program. This program aims to make Nigeria one of the twenty largest world economics by the year 2020. The seven points in the 20-20-20 program are power and energy food security and agriculture, land reforms security and functional education. T he country seeks to become a leading economy in Africa and a major players in the Worlds economic and political affairs and their 20-20-20 plan is their guideline. To become a developed nation, Nigeria needs to speed up its economic, energy agriculture and manufacturing. At this point in Nigeria’s development the best approach in to focus on the agricultural sector. By focusing on agricultural development, Nigeria can speed up its economic growth in the coming decade.
Currently, Nigeria has 75 percent of its land suitable for agriculture, but only 4% is cultivated. That indicates there is much room for the country to focus on. This addresses the food security and agriculture component of ther plan along with focus on employment for all. However, to move forward, the country must increase the low productivity of current agricultural companies engage competition with the agriculture sector develop domestic policies and increase funding (Ayodele, Obefemi and Ebong, 2013). In terms of the 20-20-20 plan for agriculture growth promotion is the first goals. There are also goals in the areas of livelihoods improvement, sustainable development and policy and institutional reforms. This involves conducting agricultural surveys, and establishing smallholder fattening schemes for livestock it is also includes the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructures and expansion of those strutures as well. There is also a call for a 1,000 capacity community farm center, there is also a plan for increasing the effectiveness of fish hatcheries by establishing parent stock programs and there will also be vaccination programs for livestock. There will be a revision of the guaranteed minimum price system for crops and livestock; as well there will also be government training for the first 10,000 new agricultural workers (Ayoolo, 2009). One component in determining how to use agriculture to improve economics in Nigeria is to evaluate the historical efforts in terms of agriculture that Nigeria has engaged in since its independence. This will ensure that the country does not repeat post mistakes. In addition, this evidence will demonstrate whether or not it is feasible for agriculture to be a primary factor in Nigerian economic development. Along with historical factors, there must be an evaluation of both internal and external factors that could impact the Nigeria agriculture market. In addition, it is important to identify the strategies needed to enhance economic growth through the use of agriculture. Under right condition, increase in agriculture productivity causes the incomes of both small and large farmers to increase and generate employment opportunities. These increase in income is particularly important because the proportion of people mainly dependent on agriculture for their income remains high, ranging from 45% in East and South Asia to 53.2% in Asia and 63.5% in Sub-Saharan Africa (Ogan, 2007). The agricultural sector has is traditional role to play in the path of economic development. But in an economy like Nigeria, the agricultural sector had suffered set back in recent times, which has attributed to widespread poverty and insecurity experienced today. Though no so – called developed nation today actualized this status, solely by agricultural transformation but in many conscious efforts on agriculture at the early stage of development played a critical role in economic development
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS
Agriculture is faced with fundamental changes. Human population growth improved incomes and shifting dictary patterns are increasing the demand for food and other agricultural products. At the same time, however, the natural resources base underpinning agricultural production is under threat, with growing threats to genetic diversity and the degradation of land and water resources. Agriculture improves food but also by providing the means to purchase food. Through growth in agricultural productivity and higher farm profits, the rural poor can generate additional income to purchase more food including more diverse kind of food. Despite the strategies adopted by various governments in Nigeria to address agriculture and rural underdevelopment problem the story remains the same.
There are still inequality and poverty particularly in the rural areas. There are a los of public comlaints on the underdevelopment situation of many rural areas which constitutes a threat to Nigeria Vision of becoming of the twenty strongest economics by the year 2020 (vision 2020) A lot of resources (financial have been injected but all in vain (Yakubu, 2009).
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to examine the role of agriculture in the economic development of a nation. The specific objectives are as follow;
- To know the extent to which Nigeria is currently equipped to increase production in their agricultural sector
- To examine the extent to which agriculture can add as a component of the country’s economic market.
- To determine now Nigeria can successfully diversity into agriculture.
- To find out the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
- To find lasting solution to the problems of agriculture in Nigeria
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study is expected to make recommendation to the government and the general public on the roles of government and the general public on the roles of agriculture on the economic development of Nigeria. The study will also help policy makers to ascertain the need for carrying out effective agricultural system in Nigeria. The opinions of this study will also open up future vents for young practitioners/scholars in the academic field in topical area under investigation and finally. This study will also be a useful guide and information to other students that will carry out their studies in the future.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
These questions will be addressed.
- Do you think that agriculture is a component of the country’s economic market?
- How is Nigeria currently equipped to increase production in the agricultural sector?
- What are the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Nigeria?
- Are there solutions to the problems of agriculture in Nigeria?
1.6 HYPOTHESES
Ho: Agricultural sector has no significant impact on economic development of Nigeria
Hi: Agricultural sector has significant impact on economic development of Nigeria.
Ho: There is no significant relationship between diversification into agriculture and economic development of Nigeria.
Hi: there is a significant relationship between diversification into agriculture and economic development of Nigeria.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study is confined to the role of agriculture in economic development, specifically the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
In carrying out on investigation of this nature the researcher must of necessity be faced the following constraint
Time: The time frame provision for this study was too short.
Financial Constraints: Usually is study of this nature involved some level of expenditure therefore; finance was also a limiting factor.
Poor Response: The poor response from the respondent and inability to access the entire population also was another constraint to the study.
Organizational policy: The policies of the organization also were another factors that limited the study.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Agriculture: The science or practice of farming including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.
Economic development: It is the efforts that seek to improve the economic well–being and quality of and supporting or growing incomes and the tax base.
Development: The process of developing or being develops.
Economy: The wealth and resources of a country or region of goods and services.
Economic Growth: The increase in the amount of goods and services produced per head of the population over a period of time.
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