“Nigeria’s agricultural imperative: Need for a consolidated policy framework “

This article reviews Nigeria’s agricultural policies from 1985 to 2010, highlighting their goals and shortcomings. Despite predictions of transitioning to large-scale farming, the sector remains dominated by smallholder farmers. Key policies aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency, improving technical efficiency, and integrating stakeholder roles were largely unmet due to insufficient political commitment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited irrigation. The article underscores the need for a consolidated agricultural master plan to transform and stabilize Nigeria’s economy. Source: BusinessDay

Our Review
The historical analysis of Nigeria’s agricultural policies highlights a consistent gap between policy objectives and actual outcomes. Despite various frameworks aimed at enhancing food production, industrial raw material supply, and economic stability, the sector remains dominated by smallholder farmers, and targets for self-sufficiency and infrastructure development are unmet. To foster growth, a consolidated policy should focus on modern agricultural practices, enhanced infrastructure, and effective stakeholder collaboration. This approach will support informed decision-making and drive long-term sectoral transformation.