Describe the problems facing agriculture in Nigeria.

Answer Details

Agriculture remains vital to Nigeria yet is held back by several problems:

• Inadequate finance/credit: most farmers are poor and cannot obtain loans to expand or modernise.
• Land tenure system: customary ownership causes fragmentation and makes large-scale, mechanised farming difficult.
• Crude implements and low technology: reliance on the hoe and cutlass keeps productivity low.
• Poor storage and processing facilities: large quantities of produce are lost after harvest.
• Inadequate transport and rural infrastructure: bad roads make it costly to move produce to markets.
• Pests and diseases that destroy crops and livestock.
• Unfavourable weather: drought, erratic rainfall and flooding damage output.
• Rural-urban migration: the young and able-bodied leave the farms for the cities, causing labour shortage.
• Unstable prices and poor marketing for farm products, discouraging farmers.
• Illiteracy and inadequate extension services: many farmers lack access to modern methods and advice.