Decades ago the bedrock of our economy stood firmly on Agriculture. Today its importance is lost, rather there is the scramble for black gold that has contributeed less to national growth and development. The article presented tries to explain why Agriculture is pivotal not denying hindrances but also pointing out where there are loopholes, brief solutions and recommendation. Nevertheless, the engagement of youths in this debate is highly encouraged. AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA “Today’s problems cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them” Albert Einstein. Over the years the idea of sustainable agriculture has been discussed by many scholars not to say the numbers of meanings the term carries. The importance of the term continues to be a major concern of agricultural researchers and also policy makers in almost all countries of the world. In recent decades have the pressures been focused on the African continent, this has placed Nigeria at the limelight where scholars have realized the unsustainable path agriculture has led in Africa and also Nigeria. With her great dependence on her oil reserves, Nigeria relentlessly strives to revive her agricultural sector. This is a wake-up call to the nation following crisis she faces in food security amidst the constant growing population and its huge reliance on imported food. Over the decades Nigeria was known as the agrarian hub of the continent providing jobs for well over 70% of its population and contributing about 41.5% to gross domestic product. Household income, growth of the economy and food security can be said to have great reliance on the country’s agricultural sector. This also includes the potentials of having about 79million hectares of arable land were only 32million is cultivated on, a total of 80% of small scale and subsistence producers that contribute to the farm holdings. While the country needs a 10% production rate to be able to sustain food security and reduce poverty, Nigeria only accounts for about 7%. “Sustainable agriculture can be regarded as the system of land cultivation, the harvesting and sale of farm produce without neglecting the impertinent use of rural land development aimed at societal interest and protection of the environment. Amidst the challenges faced challenges faced by the economy in her quest to attaining agricultural sustainability, quite a number of policies were initiated categorically focusing on the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of 1986 was initiated realizing much success within the years 1986 to 1989 after which this process failed following a number of reasons which include the devaluation of the Naira and trade reforms were distorted by an export and import restriction. Also were the Presidential Initiative on Cassava (PIOC) initiated in 2002 and the Presidential Initiative on Rice (PIOR) Constraints to achieving sustainable agriculture Continuous rise in population: As population continues to rise, it brings with it the demand for food. This also constitute the constraint population growth has on the accessibility to water were most of the water we use is also to produce the food we eat. With the continuous increase in the population there will be growing concern on water limitation which will adversely affect food production. Insecure land tenure: security on land tenure is another challenge faced in the attainment of sustainable agriculture. This poses a problem because of the communal ownership of land in which individual ownership is embedded in kinship ownership. This has resulted to countless problems as restrictions on the mobility of farmers and the limited tenure security. Limitation of women’s involvement: Women have great contribution to agricultural production but having been given little opportunity to partake in this. This further addresses the limitations of women’s accessibility to credit. Poor investment and credit to agriculture: Many of the developed nations have strived successfully through government subsidies, constant research in agriculture, availability and accessibility to mechanized farming. This poses a problem in Nigeria as these gaps that should be covered by banks have been left empty. Also has the relentless involvement of government in research and subsidies been abandoned. Poor market accessibility: The state of the roads in Nigeria and also rail transportation has been a limitation to the timely access of inputs and also an increased cost of inputs which implies the need for infrastructural development to agricultural improvement. Poor storage and other constraints: The problem of storage hinders the gains of food security. This can be said of the problems faced in the cultivation and transportation of tomatoes with respect to the fact that Nigeria is the largest producer of tomatoes but in the process of transportation, looses about 50% of these following problems of storage and furthermore. Also going further is the problems of conversion particularly cassava which can be transformed to ethanol but following the inaccessibility of these technology and equipment by farmers this process is terminated. Recommendations The need for a thorough analysis of general policies, programmes that have all been geared towards attaining sustainable agriculture but have failed need be revisited to see where the loop holes are in the attempt to attainment. Also policies that have been initiated and have provided disincentives against sustainable agriculture need be debunked. Having close relationship with environment, better consolidation of agriculture and environment policies would result to providing mutual benefits. A clear and well driven action plan aimed at sustainable agriculture need be initiated were the effective involvement of NGOs, private sector, farmers and their organizations will play key roles in constructing policies. Rural communities should be encouraged and helped to gain the profit of economic benefits on sustainable agriculture this through placing top priority on development of rural business and marketing programs opportunities. Furthermore is to invest in infrastructures in local communities. Strengthen the legal framework and responsible institutions so as to eradicate the land tenure problems particularly policy makers will have to review the land use act of 1978 and also to encourage the efficiency in the use and allocation of water. The need for an integration of sustainable agriculture in to the Nigerian educational system. The need for agricultural produce to maintain stable pricing thereby increasing the income of farmers. This is also accompanied with private involvement and the building of government relationship to encourage the production of fertilizers domestically and furthermore. Government needs to recognize its role in granting incentives and assistance. By Okafor Roy Kingsley Chukwuma.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:21:58 +0000
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