Agriculture in Nigeria has been a major source of income for many generations now. It has been a vital part of the country’s economy and social development. However, over the past few decades, the lack of investment in the agricultural sector has contributed to a decline in the sector, leading to a reduction in agricultural output and, from an economic standpoint, reduced national productivity.
In an effort to restore the sector, the Nigerian government has taken various initiatives in order to address the decline in agricultural productivity. One of the major initiatives is the Agricultural Transformation and Empowerment Programme (ATEP), which was launched in 2014/15. The ATEP is composed of five interrelated components designed to provide support to the agricultural sector through a focus on improving the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of the sector.
It is aimed at developing the agricultural extension system, sustaining agro-budget and research, developing agro-intelligence, transforming agricultural marketing and seed production, and increasing access to agricultural finance.
Additionally, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme in 2013. This programme is intended to increase the yields of Nigerian farmers through the provision of improved seeds, fertilizer, herbicides and extension services. Under the GES Scheme, the government has implemented a voucher system whereby participating farmers can purchase agricultural inputs approved by the GES scheme at subsidized rates.
The government has also implemented various support schemes to address long-term challenges to agricultural productivity in the country. These include the Fadama III Project, which supports small-scale irrigation projects in rural communities; the Green Alternative Programme, which promotes sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation; the Nigerian Agro-Business Crisis Recovery Programme, which supports affordable access to farm inputs; and the Nigeria Focused Agricultural Commodities Programme, which promotes access to finance for farmers and value chain actors.
In addition to the initiatives led by the government, there are also a number of non-governmental organisations that are engaged in agricultural restoration in Nigeria. Examples of such organisations include the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, which develops agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers; the Nigerian Agricultural Development Company, which offers training and equipment to farmers; and the Nigerian Women in Agriculture Network which provides support and resources to female farmers.
Overall, the Nigerian government and non-governmental organisations have made significant efforts to restore agricultural productivity in the country. By addressing the issues that underpin agricultural decline, they have been working to improve the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. However, in order to ensure that agricultural restoration efforts are fruitful, it is important that the necessary resources are allocated for the continued improvement of the sector. This includes committing adequate funds to programmes, providing support to farmers to enable them to access inputs, and the provision of education and training. By collectively taking these steps, Nigeria can sustain the growth of its agricultural sector for the benefit of its people.
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