Nigeria - Agriculture



Nigeria Agriculture 1097
Photo by: Eva Lemonenko

In terms of employment, agriculture is by far the most important sector of Nigeria's economy, engaging about 70% of the labor force. Agricultural holdings are generally small and scattered; farming is often of the subsistence variety, characterized by simple tools and shifting cultivation. These small farms produce about 80% of the total food. About 30.7 million hectares (76 million acres), or 33% of Nigeria's land area, are under cultivation. Nigeria's diverse climate, from the tropical areas of the coast to the arid zone of the north, make it possible to produce virtually all agricultural products that can be grown in the tropical and semitropical areas of the world. The economic benefits of large-scale agriculture are recognized, and the government favors the formation of cooperative societies and settlements to encourage industrial agriculture. Large-scale agriculture, however, is not common. Despite an abundant water supply, a favorable climate, and wide areas of arable land, productivity is restricted owing to low soil fertility in many areas and inefficient methods of cultivation. Agriculture contributed 32% to GDP in 2001.

The agricultural products of Nigeria can be divided into two main groups: food crops, produced for home consumption, and export products. Prior to the civil war, the country was self-sufficient in food, but imports of food increased substantially after 1973. Bread, made primarily from US wheat, replaced domestic crops as the cheapest staple food for much of the urban population. The most important food crops are yams and manioc (cassava) in the south and sorghum (Guinea corn) and millet in the north. In 1999, production of yams was 25.1 million tons (67% of world production); manioc, 33.1 million tons (highest in the world and 20% of global production); cocoyams (taro), 3.3 million tons; and sweet potatoes, 1,560,000 tons. The 1999 production estimates for major crops were as follows (in thousands of tons): sorghum, 8,443; millet, 5,457; corn, 5,777; rice, 3,399; peanuts, 2,783; palm oil, 842; sugar cane, 675; palm kernel, 565; soybeans, 405; and cotton lint, 57. Many fruits and vegetables are also grown by Nigerian farmers.

Although cocoa is the leading non-oil foreign exchange earner, growth in the sector has been slow since the abolition of the Nigerian Cocoa Board. The dominance of smallholders in the cocoa sector and the lack of farm labor due to urbanization holds back production. Nigeria has the potential to produce over 300,000 tons of cocoa beans per year, but production only amounted to 145,000 tons in 1999. Rubber is the second-largest non-oil foreign exchange earner. Despite favorable prices, production has fallen from 155,000 tons in 1991 to 90,000 tons in 1999. Low yield, aging trees, and lack of proper equipment have inhibited production.

Agricultural exports (including manufactured food and agricultural products) decreased in quantity after 1970, partly because of the discouraging effect of low world prices. In 1979, the importing of many foods was banned, including fresh milk, vegetables, roots and tubers, fruits, and poultry. The exporting of milk, sugar, flour, and hides and skins was also banned. During 1985–87, imports of wheat, corn, rice, and vegetable oil were banned as declining income from oil encouraged greater attention to the agricultural sector. In 1986, government marketing boards were closed down, and a free market in all agricultural products was established. In 2001, agricultural exports totaled $323.5 million. Exports of cocoa beans that year totaled $210.4 million; cotton lint, $21 million.

User Contributions:

1
aisha habib
you are the best because how you put about history of agriculture in nigeria
2
Max Heaver
I very much enjoyed reading the article and it was very helpful to my project that I am currently producing on Nigerian agriculture.
3
bayo ademola
i will like to know about the effect of shifting nigerian soil
4
Obaro
I read your article and it gives me interest on investing on agriculture. However, i read business admin in school but i think i want to diversify. How will this be possible? Please enlighten me via my email on obaro_one@yahoo.com for any way out.
Thanks.
5
Ope Ajayi
I read and undergone the Nigeria historical of Agriculture;i advise all Nigerian to join hand together to promote farming in enable to sustain and maintain our nation.I'll like to invest on Agriculture products in the two groups,both food crops and export products,pls,enlight me where to start and how i will get to improve?.
Thanks,
Ajayi O.Kazeem
6
mustapha
Agriclutre is dominant sector of nigerian economy.
7
cathy
wow! my 3 page essay was do the next day........and this REALLY helped! i finnaly got exactly wat i was looking for! that was a close one =)
8
emma madu
thanks for a job welldone. it shows that revitalising of the economy of nigeria economy is still important to people like you. pls am currently carrying out a research on the impacts of non oil exports on the nigeria foreign exchange earnings.pls help me out via my email adress above.thanks and god bless
9
Pearl
Thanks a bunch for the information that you have supplied us with! I am currently working on a project about Nigeria and this help me a lot! I appreciate it!
10
fateemah
it is an interesting and very important piece. it was very helpful to me
11
Osho O. Idunnu
i always had intrest in the agricultural sector and will like to get information on crops and animals and areas they best thtive in Nigeria, new technological advances in the sector and how best to begin such business. please send the information to my email mcklurkin@yahoo.com
12
EMEKA
i so much love this page it has helped me a lot!!!!
13
hakabra
I read your article is one of the best article I have read about argriculture in nigeria
14
KATIE
this is an awsome article it has the best info ever i liked it alot it helped me on my project
15
osokoya abiodun
i love this article.It shows that revitalising of the economy of nigeria economy is still important to people like you.Well,i am Osokoya Abiodun from university of Ibadan and now a farm manager of masflor farms in ogun-state.pls am currently carrying out a research on utilization of cashew-nut in replacement of soyameal in poultry diet..pls help me out via my email adress above.thanks and god bless
16
joe scep
this is a very good forum for helping those that's researching like me. i will love to seek for further help on the the impacts of the global financial crisis on this sector of the Nigerian economy.
17
solaja seun
In this time when nations are struggling due to economic meltdown our dear country Nigeria should diversify her economy and go back to agriculture because it only agriculture that can rescue Nigeria from oil doom.
SEUN SOLAJA
18
ifeanyi
i'm just about completing my university education in a Nigerian university and i'll like to go into farming and someday become a large scale farmer and will need some guidance on how to go about it. are there available government subsidies for small farmers?
plz give me a feedback on my email de1genius@gmail.com
thank you
19
Fowosire idowu
I quiet appreciate the article. Kudos to you all.(japan)
20
Ogunbiyi Anuoluwapo
Thanks for this beautiful article. I believe vividly that going back to our rural areas for refertilisation is the only way out of this mess.
21
Uzoh Ifeoma
The article is very wonderful. I want 2 know if timber is one of agricultural exports products
22
Ola idu francis
Your acticle gave me insight of agriculture in nigeria.4rm federal university of agriculture makurdi benue state of nigeria.
23
adetokun shola
i really appreciate your write-up, but can you up-date us about current happenings in the sector now. what are the Nigerian Government policies to improve on the agriculture?
24
Godwin
I have a group of investors looking to invest in the agricultural sector in Eastern Nigeria. Please advise.
You have really tried in gathering information about Nigerian agriculture history. Keep it up.
I read your article,it was quite simple and precise. I wish our policy makers will as well read it to help move this our stagnant beloved Nation due to poor policy making and lack of implementation of good policies and civilization of corruption.Honestly,Agriculture has the answer to poverty reduction.Agriculture is the backbone of every developed country, so without our Nation embrancing it and giving it all it required to survive like oil sector, they should then forget about VISION 2020.(prayer) May our leaders be patriotic to our corruption-killing Nation and save they dying poor masses ,Amen.Obinna4integrity@yahoo.Com
its a good thing revealing the history of cocoa in Nigeria, its a good job. keep up the good work.
I appreciate the article because of figures which are very useful for economic research
thanks for the info. It will help me with a project
Very helpful in reseachers. And i will be very happy if i can see a work on Causality between agricultural productivity and export
I truely appreciate this simple essay for it being comprehensible to our decision/law makers (particularly those who are not acquainted with agriculture) as it provides indirectly,significant measures to help our ailing economy.I'm from faculty of agric. Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria.I'll look forward to seeing more this like because they are helpful research tools to us.
I appreciate this little write up its of help to me especially for me assignment.it has made me got enough facts for now thanks so much
I appreciate this little but great write up its of help to me especially for my present assignment.it has made me got enough facts for now thanx so much forgot to put my addy in the first post. From University of ibadan Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
This is one of the best article that i ever read.It helped me in gathering information for making presentations at school.
you are doing a good work. a lot of young Nigerians are looking up to you, some day in the future the sector will be rived.
Thanks
how can i get loan to partake in an agricultural extension programe?
This article really helped me in my project of prodution in agricultural sector and i was able to have asses to the key periods.Please i will like to know how it has affected development of Nigeria over time.Please i need feedback on my email-anyadiegwu.amaka@yahoo.com
This article is very informative. truth is i want to venture into exportation but i do not know what to do and where to start from.
Your article is very interesting and informative. I would love to invest in agriculture in Nigeria, how do I go about it please.
Hi,

Thanks for this article. Am intrested in agriculture though am presently in a white collar job somewhere in Lagos but i will like to be enlightened cause am looking at giving up white collar job for farming. Will be glad to read from you soonest.

Thank you.

Bunmi
i need articles and materials on "extent of utilization of agrochemicals by small scale farmers for maize production in Nigeria". your response will be highly appreciated
i, will like to know the botanical name for Oha (Igbo leave)
I had wonder how to go about with my project untill i come across this article. You just gave me the key to success.
Hi there. Does anybody knows whether Nigeria has a demand for peppers despite its moderately developed agriculture?
45
IFY
THANKS ALOT, YOU AIDED MY RESEARCH ON THE NIGERIA AGRICULUTRAL SECTOR.
Apart from cashew nut can you please let me know other crops that is doing well in international market.Thanks keep up a good work.
I like the way you put nigeria agriculture history even with that some nigerian who have money to do this kind of business are not doing it and some of us that have passion for farming and want to do it as a profesion no money to do it is fustrating. Is in? How can u help people like us. Thanks Adeola Oke
48
Sara
Thank you so much this helped me a lot. I had a research paper and this helped me.
pls i want to be a prof. of agic and ur page is very interesting giving more and clearer perspective
I read your article and i appreciate it will agriculture is my best coures i am happy with it thanks.
hi
i will like to know how to start exporting agricultural product.i will be grateful if u can help me
i will be looking forward to read from you
Really you had made critical effort and critical survey on this. But would like to known more impact agric in scope of industries.
good write up. i`m intrested in doing some agriculture, would like to male you one on
one
Having grown up in the north and practiced farming ,your write up is quite ok , but lacks substance on growth formation and projection , it does give you the possibility of hope for future growth but not for possible mapping for a new entrant into this sector just like what you will get in kwara state today ...
This article has given me more knowledge about the importance of agriculture to economic development . can data analysis be posted?
56
Zam Zam
this article has helped me with my project its awesome and very productive
Hi there, I write to seek for advice on what agricultural products is lucrative to invest on good for exportation and easy to get by.
regards.
Is agricultural loan and subsidies granted by the gvt and to what extent?
how can we join forces to push agric. far far away from the relegation zone in Nigeria and educate Nigerians on the posible benefits
This is incredible! These info's have helped me out alot! I got great marks in my project using these infomation..

NOTE: If your wondering whether to use these infomations for a task or project, trust me use it, you will pass! LOL..

Its really great..
Thanx
This articles really help me in finding some answer to my project.
Note: my question is employment generation through agricultural in Nigeria
I will be ingrate if i fail to appriciate ur effort on agricurtural and the economy atlarge. May God be with you, and give you wisdom and knowledge. Pls i need your accademic support by solving this question 4me. "Appraise the contribution of Agric-sector to the growth and development of Nigeria between 1970 to 2009". Pls kindly reply me today. Thanks God bless. S. A. Alabi. UNIUYO.
you are doing a wonderful job keep up.just wanna say that it will be good if you like show a page of how up coming youth like me can contribute in strenghting nigeria's economy in terms me agriculture
am very happy reading through your artickle, it has given me an insight to the Nigerian agricultural sector, very much helpful to my project, am currently researching on agericultural development policies on poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Thanks you are great!
Its really very fascinating, continue with this noble work so as to encourage and change the non- chalant attitudes of Nigeria Govt.towards agriculture that provides 70% of labour force among the citizenry.
Hi,i'm an agric student and will be graduating soon and will like to go into landscaping and pomology.Pls advise me how to come about it.
67
Sani Nuhu Tsafe
This is for you to consider the topography of the area/env. And also land should be suitable one, these are the little of what you want to know.
There is no doubt that there are lots of potential in Nigerian Agriculture sector. I am a graduate of Agricultural Economics. I always have the desire to go into exportation of agro-commodities. Kindly advise on the needfuls, and what products I can trade on especially at a small scale level. Giving me clues on the buyers will also do well.

Thanks
nice work,but i will like it if we can always update this site on other accept of agric e.g engineering and what is going on in our state one by one.thanks
70
Simon
What is the total exports of agriculture from 2005-2010?
Agriculture is a very large and vital sector in Nigeria, as a student of agricultural economics i believe in cultivation and production. But hw can i get real invoived in it? As in getting a job in one of the big agricultural sector in Nigeria.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL AREA IN NIGERIA UNDER HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION
Nice and informative.
please advice me on various type of farming a small group can invest on in Badagry area of lagos state, Nigria.A little write up would be appreciated.
Thank you
74
olufemi
we can't develop in this country if we do not give agricuture a preference.it is vital to the success of this coutry, in fact the only therapy to poverty.proper management is needed.thanks
75
TEJU
I LIKE YOUR ARTICLE ,PLS I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND CROPS THAT CAN BE EXPORTED.I AM STUDYING ACCOUNTANCY AT THE MOMENT BUT I WILL LIKE TO DIVERSIFY INTO AGRICULTURE .
I like this article ,am studying agric education in college of education oro kwara state. Pls i want to know if wheat can be grown in nigeria if yes, pls contact me via email at sage0565@yahoo.com whit the details and location.thanks Abiodun Salami Qudus
77
Mufasa
awesome helped me with my final report loved it everything helped me with so much specifics just plain AWESOME
78
Hauwa'u
Thanks for this article. I would like to get more information on vegetables as a sector in northern Nigeria. Thank you.
79
TERHILEY AYUA
Your article made interesting reading. Besides cocoa and rubber, can you please advise me in the order of ranking, which agricultural crops have the most export and profit making potential?
80
Abdulrahman
I think with this article agriculture is best sources of revenue generation in nigeria, only rice nd corn producation can feed half of this nation, what about ginger, garlic, rubber, hide nd skin, etc. Govt shall try this and see the outcome.
this is very great job,hope you are keep up in helping students nd others whose have intrest in agriculture.
82
eric
pls hw long does it take cassava and yam to grow without d use of fertilizer.
83
Naimat Amoo
What are the main crops in each state of Nigeria(either cash/food crops). I will appreciate if my question could be answered as soon as possible. Thank you, i appreciate.
84
Joyce williams
Thanks very much,this article really helped me in my termpaper. Pls keep it up.
85
Odoko Dan
Am a post graduate student studying in Belarussian Technical University in the Republic of Belarus,and pls i want you people to assist me on getting data of agricultural products that we import and export and the figures from 2000-2012 if possible.My thesis is Development of food potentials in Nigeria and its efficiency use.Pls i will be grateful if you can help God bless you.email quiriesquiren@yahoo.co.uk
86
Ope
Thank u vry much dis article has help me out in my project. God bless
87
david
This article has showcased the very characteristics of nigeria agricultural sector and also the nigerian economy as a whole. It has also project the problems leading to low productivity. We achieve the 20:20:20 goal like this. Knowing the problems can help us seek the right solution to it. The nigerian government should take note. My recomendation is dat the government should make sure that agriculture is thought well in both our secondary and tetiary institutions to start with.
88
Mike
splendid, it is indeed a great article, please i want more enlightment on my email
YOU HAVE MAKE NIGERIA A GREAT COUNTRY WE GREAT YOU A LOT AND WE ARE ENCOURAGE TO YOU PEOPLE JOB MAY GOD CONTINUE TO ENRICH YOU PEOPLE POWER IN JESUS NAME, WE WILL CONTINUE PRAYING FOR YOU AND GOD WILL BE BEHIND YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE MAKING OUR COUNTRY NIGERIA A PROUD COUNTRY
THANKS A LOT
GREAT NIGERIAN CITIZEN KAYZYRULE
90
fatima
I AM A JUNIOR STUDENT READING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT
THANK YOU THIS, HAS BEEN HELPFUL
91
israel AYUA
I am really impressed and touched by your article. To me, agriculture remains truely Nigerians unminned diamond and I think it waits for nobody but me. The only favor I seek of you is to send me a sample of a standard agricultural business proposal which will help me develope my mine. thank you!
92
pleasure o .stephen.
MY NAME IS PIEASURE O. STEPHEN.I AM VERY HAPPY CONCERNING THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ,AND I HAVE SEEN HOW IT CONTRIBUTED TO NIGERIA DEVELOPMENT. BUT I WANT TO KNOW HOW FAR IT AS GROWN TO NOW.THANK YOU.
93
ANDY BETHEL
thanks for the good information,

really, i wanna invest in agriculture. so, please send your contact to my e-mail

thanks
from

MR ANDY
94
Gibson
i love this... It is a must read for both the young and old...hmmm its educational and tells us that we have reasons to be proud that we're Nigerians
I really enjoyed your article when i was writing my project. Well done
96
Nwabueze Daniel
I appreciate your effort on enlightening Nigerians of their past agricultural growth glory. But what can be done by individuals like us with interest on the sector to contribute?
97
Uwah Benson
I am so glad to see an article like this.I want to go into farming.At present I have a small maize plantation.Am intending of going into poultry and fish farming.Advice me on what to do to yield a maxium result.Thanks.
pls. I realy appreciata u effort and contribution in promoting nigeria agriculture. Pls i need ur advise on export product. Which one is advisable to go into.
99
J Hussaini
great article, pls do more to encourage us on agriculture. Am on a project on employment now, pls i need the total number of employment generated by the fedral goverment between 1999 to 2011. I realy need them for each of the years, pls send to my e-mail. God bless you all
100
Obinuchi glory
This article is quite intresting but needs more info. Thanks.
101
Kayode
nice article.i really appreciate...please I'll like to know how much the Nigerian government spend annually on importation of wheat.
102
salawu
The article is a very interesting and educating one.i believe it will go a long way in motivating the interest of some nigerians to go into agriculture,as it is the way out of economic woes.i am a student of federal university technology,minna,(faculty of agricultural technology)
103
kawu
Good! Agriculture is one area worth risking any level investment.
104
Olaniyan Oladayo Abidemi
Everyday the population of Nigeria increases but the population of farmer decreases. you see that the average farmer today is between the age of 55 to 70. and no young ones steping up because our goverment did not encourage it. you will hardly see any of these farmer with reasonable acheivements. Let us all beg government to stand up for youth to reduce searching for non-excisting coller job, persisting hunger,civil unrest,armed conflicts, poverty and corruption.
I was born and trained as a farmer now ND holder, i want 2 go back to farming if there will be government aids, but i don't think that can be possible because ever since i was small i used to hear people saying government surppot Agriculture but i have not witnessed it.
I can farm/control up to 500-1000 actres of land with the aid of this morden agrochemical technology. let goverment give out loan and if i failed to feed 10million people then i ll go to jail. Thanks
105
jeff dunham
Everyday the population of Nigeria increases but the population of farmer decreases. you see that the average farmer today is between the age of 55 to 70. and no young ones steping up because our goverment did not encourage it. you will hardly see any of these farmer with reasonable acheivements. Let us all beg government to stand up for youth to reduce searching for non-excisting coller job, persisting hunger,civil unrest,armed conflicts, poverty and corruption.
I was born and trained as a farmer now ND holder, i want 2 go back to farming if there will be government aids, but i don't think that can be possible because ever since i was small i used to hear people saying government surppot Agriculture but i have not witnessed it.
I can farm/control up to 500-1000 actres of land with the aid of this morden agrochemical technology. let goverment give out loan and if i failed to feed 10million people then i ll go to jail. Thanks
106
foster nnaji
I have a vision to make Nigeria a country were agriculture is the best place to plant crops
107
Louis Aloma
I am so much impressed they way Nigerians are thinking about going into agriculture. The world today need food to grow and without food there is no life. I am planning to go into agriculture. Your article have opened my eyes and there is no going back.
108
Davido
This has helped me on my assignments. it is very good for students.keep the flag flying.
109
Pranko
Thank you very much. This article has helped me with my GDP and agricultural project. I would also like to know more about which crops in particular are grown for subsistence farming and which are grown for commercial. But thanks a lot for the other information.
well this article has really help me,,,am greatful that people till talk about our nigeria economy
111
ibadan henry
i love all comment made by everyone becos without agriculture nigeria would have collaspe:dat is why when designing the nigeria flag they remember agriculture as fetile soil of nigeria so leader of nigeria remember: agriculture as backbone of nigeria:as for me: ibadan henry a student of national open university of nigeria facuity of agriculture will try to enlighten the youth of nigeria about agriculture as the backbone of nigeria
112
Moses
I really appreciate you for putting down this great informative article on the agricultural structure in Nigeria, more grace to your elbow keep it on.You are a great figure in d society for providing solutions to some people!!!
113
adamu mohammed mansur
Great article. Will appreciate and update on the current statistics. Agriculture remains our ace in the face of challenges in the oil market in the world today. We will witness another era of downturn just like in the 1985-7 period. Continue with the good job as it is arming us to make a very good case for revival and investment in the sector.
114
oresanya Adeyemi
wonderful research.keep it up.the only way out for anybody that have the ear to hear now.agri is way out for Nigeria.
115
Mohammed Sani
this article is timely and helpful in studying Agriculture and Nigerian economy. It really helps me a lot academically .
116
Sunnie
Thank you so much. This article will help our bimonthly AGROMEDIA publication, cheers.
117
Lawrence Ehis
I really want to appreciate u for this article, it really helped me in my project work.. However, i will like to get more materials on the contribution of Central Bank of Nigeria in Agricultural development in Nigeria.. How can i go about it?
118
Niki and Bence
Hey guys! We just find this informative webpage! It's amazing,we copied out a lot of sentences of this page for our university recension! Thank you so much and greeting from ELTE!
119
Kolajo Stella
It really helped out with my essay This is all I need. So informative
120
Oyewole T
The benefits of agriculture have been immense.
Before the dawn of agriculture, the hunter-gatherer
lifestyle supported ... Informative and great write up.
121
ubi
This article is educative. It will help me inform my students better
122
Aleem Adeola
I am a post graduate student from one of the Nigerian's university, working on productivity and efficiency of smallhold maize famers in south western nigeria., pls ineed your help in these areas:
1.the conceptual frame work of this topic
2. problem statement
3. analytical tool for productivity
123
Charles Prince
wonderful article, please I need your help, can you kindly tell me the issues and challenges of agricultural marketing in Nigeria because is getting me confuse thinking both are problems but I was told only challenges please help out any body ASAP (charlesprince17@ymail.com)
Nice article. Stumbled on this work while searching for opportunities in agriculture. Am currently working on my small scale poultry project; am having looking grant or soft loan scheme for the project. Your help is therefore needed. Thanks.
125
Adeyemi odunola
Wow , u are really good this has helped a lot with ma research , hope to read more articles from u
126
ogbonna Rejoice
i lov it ride on it has been helpful both in studies application of works nd in companion of little businesses.THANKS A MILLION FOLDS. I LOVE THAT.
127
Onifade Thereda
I love this and hope it will help me to start my agric project.
128
Kirsten
pretty good info right here. thanks for ur help w this English thing my class is doing
129
Sipho Hlungwani
Where can I get a case study of Nigeria cocoa exports activities?
Wow! This is good but I need more enlightenment cost of into exportation

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