Agriculture is a critical sector of Nigeria’s economy, contributing about 23% to the GDP and employing over 70% of the labor force. However, the sector faces numerous challenges that hinder its growth and productivity. These challenges range from insecurity and climate change to poor infrastructure and government policies. This article examines the top recent and current issues affecting agriculture in Nigeria and their implications for food security and economic development.
1. Insecurity and Farmer-Herder Conflicts
One of the most pressing challenges facing Nigerian agriculture is insecurity. Farmers in many regions, particularly the North-East and North-West, face threats from banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes. Boko Haram and other armed groups have displaced thousands of farmers, disrupting agricultural activities. Additionally, violent clashes between farmers and herders over land and water resources have led to loss of lives, destruction of farmlands, and reduced food production. Many farmers now avoid planting crops due to fear of attacks, leading to food shortages and rising prices. In some regions, entire communities have abandoned farming due to fear, further threatening national food security.
2. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
Climate change has significantly impacted Nigerian agriculture through irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events such as floods. Northern Nigeria, which relies heavily on rain-fed agriculture, has experienced desertification and reduced arable land. In contrast, southern regions face excessive flooding, which destroys crops and farmlands. The shrinking of Lake Chad, a major water source for irrigation, has also worsened food insecurity in the North-East. Farmers lack the knowledge and resources to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, making them vulnerable to these environmental changes. Without widespread access to irrigation, climate-resilient seeds, or weather information, many smallholder farmers are left to rely on guesswork.
3. Poor Infrastructure and Lack of Access to Markets
Nigeria’s agricultural sector suffers from inadequate infrastructure, including poor road networks, lack of storage facilities, and unreliable electricity. Many rural farmers struggle to transport their produce to urban markets due to bad roads, leading to post-harvest losses. The absence of modern storage facilities means that a significant portion of perishable goods like tomatoes, onions, and fruits spoil before reaching consumers. Additionally, the lack of access to credit and modern farming equipment limits productivity, keeping many smallholder farmers in poverty. Additionally, limited market access restricts farmer income and discourages investment in farm expansion.
4. High Cost of Inputs and Dependence on Importation
The rising cost of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides has made farming more expensive. Many farmers cannot afford these inputs, leading to low yields. Despite government subsidies, fertilizer distribution is often marred by corruption, leaving many farmers without access. Nigeria also depends heavily on food imports, including rice, wheat, and fish, due to insufficient local production. This reliance on imports drains foreign reserves and exposes the country to global price fluctuations.
5. Government Policies and Inconsistent Interventions
While the Nigerian government has introduced agricultural programs such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, their implementation has been inconsistent. Many farmers complain of delays in receiving loans, poor distribution of inputs, and lack of access to these programs. As a result, many well-intentioned efforts fail to reach the intended beneficiaries or achieve their goals. Additionally, frequent changes in agricultural policies create uncertainty for investors and farmers. The ban on forex for food imports was meant to encourage local production but has led to smuggling and higher food prices.
6. Limited Access to Credit and Financial Services
Most small-scale farmers lack access to formal credit facilities due to high interest rates and stringent collateral requirements. Microfinance banks and government loan schemes often fail to reach rural farmers, forcing them to rely on informal lenders with exploitative terms. Without financial support, farmers cannot invest in modern farming techniques, machinery, or expansion, perpetuating low productivity. This keeps many farmers operating at subsistence levels rather than becoming commercially viable.
7. Youth Unemployment and Labor Shortages
Agriculture is often perceived as an unattractive livelihood by Nigerian youth due to its labor-intensive nature and low profitability. Many young people prefer migrating to cities or abroad in search of better opportunities, leaving farming to the older generation. This labor shortage affects agricultural output, as fewer people are engaged in farming.
8. Youth Disengagement and Aging Farmer Population
Despite high youth unemployment, many young Nigerians still see agriculture as unattractive or outdated. Most of the farming population is aging, and without meaningful incentives, many young people remain disconnected from the sector. This creates a generational gap in knowledge transfer, innovation, and labor availability in rural areas.
Conclusion
The challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector are complex and interconnected. Insecurity, climate change, poor infrastructure, high input costs, and weak government policies all contribute to low productivity and food insecurity. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved security, investment in rural infrastructure, climate-resilient farming techniques, and better access to finance. If these challenges are effectively tackled, Nigeria can harness its vast agricultural potential to achieve food security, reduce poverty, and boost economic growth.
