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Agriculture Overview
The nations food security programme is to transform Nigeria into a food exporter
Until recently, agriculture was very much the poor cousin to Nigeria’s oil sector – neglected in favour of the huge proceeds from petrodollars; the agricultural sector’s infrastructure was outdated and underfunded. However, with the oil sector continuing to face problems with attacks and sabotage in the Niger Delta, as well as the fall in oil prices, the government is hoping the agriculture sector can replace oil as a new growth area. The sector grew by an estimated 7.7 per cent in 2007, compared to growth of 7.4 per cent in 2006, and is expected to continue increasing. Commercial farming is small and limited at present. Nigeria has been under civilian rule since 1999, the longest period since independence. This stability, plus President Yar’Adua’s determination to continue many of former president Obasanjo’s policies, has undoubtedly been good for its economy.
When he succeeded Olusegun Obasanjo, President Umaru Yar’Adua recognised the importance of agriculture for Nigeria’s future prosperity – despite its rapid urbanisation, over half of all Nigerians still live as subsistence farmers. Two of the points of President Yar’Adua’s seven point agenda for the future of Nigeria were ‘food security and agriculture’ and ‘land reforms’.
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