tropical climates that permit long
growing seasons; a young labor force;
and an expanding population that
provides a readily available market for
produce consumption. Co-operative groups have sprung up to
offer urban dwellers the chance to own
and run farms (even without being
physically present) with relatively low
financial investment.
Yet, the country is struggling to harness
these opportunities to ensure
sustainable food security and food
production. As one city-dwelling farmer put it, “I am
farmer. I have 200 hectares of land
here. Farming is the only way forward.
If you can feed yourself and your
people, then the problem is solved.
Nigerians need to come over to
agriculture; the era of oil is over”.
A lot of effort is
underway to
increase food
production in
Nigeria.
Farming activity is on the rise
As a result of increased awareness;
efforts by advocacy groups including
governmental and non-government
institutions; incentives (both financial
and non-financial) on offer to farmers
among other factors, the last few years
have witnessed a significant increase in
farming activity and interestingly, a lot
of this activity is happening in urban
areas.
We are also seeing more urban
dwellers get involved in farming.
9 The Export Brief | MAY 2018 | IEOM-NG.ORG
This is a good thing. And it is producing
results. According to a report published
by the National Agricultural Extension
and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS)
in conjunction with Federal and states’
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Nigeria recorded an
increase in crops production and in
land areas under agricultural cultivation
in 2017, higher than the previous year.
In spite of this, the report concludes
that overall farm yields “still remain
below global and African averages for
all sub-sectors”.
Tackling this
Challenge goes
beyond farming