In what ways can the government improve agricultural production in Nigeria?

Answer Details

The government can improve agricultural production in Nigeria in the following ways:

• Provision of credit facilities: giving farmers loans at low interest through agricultural banks and schemes so they can buy inputs and expand.
• Supply of improved inputs: providing improved seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and better breeds of livestock at subsidised prices.
• Provision of modern implements/mechanisation: making tractors and other machinery available to raise output and reduce drudgery.
• Agricultural education, research and extension services: training farmers, researching better methods and pests/diseases, and sending extension officers to advise them.
• Guaranteed minimum prices and marketing boards: assuring farmers of stable, remunerative prices to encourage production.
• Provision of infrastructure: building feeder roads, irrigation facilities, dams, storage and processing facilities to reduce losses and ease transport of produce to market.
• Land reform: making land more easily available to farmers for large-scale farming.
• Subsidies and tax relief: subsidising inputs and reducing taxes on farming to lower costs.
• Establishment of special programmes: such as farm settlements, irrigation projects and river-basin development authorities.
• Control of pests and diseases: organised campaigns to protect crops and livestock.