History Of Agriculture In NIgeria

Jeffrey Alahira

Agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, with vast potential to drive food security, jobs, and growth.

Introduction

Nigeria is richly endowed with agricultural resources. The country has about 91 million hectares of land, with over 80 million hectares suitable for farming. Nigeria enjoys fertile soils, good rainfall in most regions, warm temperatures all year round, and vast grazing land for livestock production. These natural advantages make agriculture a key sector of the Nigerian economy.

Agriculture has always played an important role in Nigeria’s history and identity. This is reflected in the green colour of the national flag, which represents agriculture and natural wealth. For many years, farming has provided employment and income for a large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas.

 

Agriculture in Pre-Colonial and Colonial Nigeria

Before colonial rule, Nigerians practised agriculture mainly for survival and local trade. Farmers used simple tools such as hoes and cutlasses but still produced enough food to feed their families. They also grew cash crops and exchanged them through local and regional trade routes, including trans-Saharan trade.

During the colonial period (1861–1960), agriculture was organised mainly to serve British economic interests. The colonial government focused on export crops such as cocoa, groundnut, cotton and palm oil. Research institutions and agricultural departments were established to improve production and quality for export.

Key developments during this period included:

  • Establishment of agricultural research stations
  • Creation of extension services
  • Formation of veterinary and fisheries departments
  • Promotion of large-scale crop production for export

While these efforts improved research and output, they paid little attention to food security and farmer welfare.

Agriculture After Independence (Post-Colonial Period)

After independence in 1960, Nigeria introduced new agricultural policies aimed at national development. The country focused on regional specialisation:

  • Western Region – Cocoa
  • Northern Region – Groundnut and grains
  • Eastern Region – Oil palm

Several national agricultural programmes were launched between the 1960s and 1980s, including:

  • Farm Settlement Schemes
  • National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP)
  • Operation Feed the Nation (OFN)
  • River Basin Development Authorities (RBDA)
  • Green Revolution Programme
  • Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs)

These programmes aimed to increase food production, modernise farming, and reduce rural poverty.

However, the oil boom of the 1970s led to a decline in agriculture. Government attention shifted to crude oil, and agricultural contribution to GDP dropped significantly. Food imports increased, while local production slowed.

Modern Agricultural Development in Nigeria

From the 1990s to the present day, Nigeria has made renewed efforts to revive agriculture. Important programmes include:

  • National Fadama Development Project
  • National Special Programme on Food Security
  • Root and Tuber Expansion Programme
  • Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) launched in 2011
  • Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP) also known as The Green Alternative
  • Anchor Borrowers’ Programme
  • NIRSAL agricultural financing initiatives
These programmes focus on:
  • Value chain development
  • Access to credit for farmers
  • Improved seeds and fertilisers
  • Irrigation and mechanisation
  • Market access and agribusiness growth

Challenges Facing Nigerian Agriculture Today

Despite progress, many challenges remain:

  • Over 60% of farmers still use traditional methods
  • Poor storage and high post-harvest losses
  • Inadequate rural infrastructure
  • Limited access to finance and markets
  • Climate change and insecurity

Future of Agriculture in Nigeria

Nigeria’s agriculture sector has strong growth potential. Experts estimate that the sector could more than double its value by 2030 if:

  • Crop yields improve
  • Farmers adopt modern technology
  • Production shifts to higher-value crops
  • Youth and private investors are fully involved
With the right policies, investment, and innovation, agriculture can once again become a major source of jobs, income, food security, and economic growth in Nigeria.
 

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Jeffrey Alahira