Agriculture
From The Report: Nigeria 2012
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Agriculture makes a significant contribution to the economy, accounting for 40% of GDP at the end of the fourth quarter of 2011 and employing 60% of the population. Sector policy is guided by the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan (ATAP), which aims to diversify the economy and support rural areas while also reducing the cost of food imports. Some $8.3bn is spent on importing staple foodstuffs annually, a figure that is rising by 11% a year. Under the ATAP strategy, the government wants to boost domestic production for staple crops such as rice and cassava, as well as cash crops like palm oil, cocoa and cotton. Yet significant obstacles remain in the form of finance, infrastructure and land availability.

This chapter contains an interview with Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A new direction: Reducing imports and boosting production of local crops are central to agricultural policy
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In the 1960s Nigeria was an agricultural powerhouse. Its warm tropical climate, fertile land and ample water resources provided by the Niger and Benue rivers made it an ideal location to grow a range of crops. By 1961 the country controlled 42% of the global trade in groundnut oil, 27% of the world’s palm oil industry and 18% of its cocoa trade, according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Some 20 years later this dominance had evaporated in the face of domestic neglect…

Interview

Steps to change: OBG talks to Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
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Interview: Akinwumi Adesina What are the fundamentals behind the government’s Agricultural Transformation Policy? AKINWUMI ADESINA: Agriculture in Nigeria accounts for 44% of GDP and 70% of employment. The sector has always been treated as a development activity and thus it does not generate wealth at the potential that it should. Only 40% of Nigeria’s land is utilised. The necessary key for successful reform is to turn agriculture into a business that makes money, with a focus on investments…

Analysis

Steps to self-sufficiency: The sector’s action plan aims for greater food security
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Self-sufficiency is the over-arching theme of the action plan to revitalise the agricultural sector. Raising import tariffs on key staples such as rice and wheat is designed to boost domestic investment and production. Nigerian farmers and producers used to play an important role on the global stage, and Abuja hopes its new plan will put the sector on a secure footing for the future. TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY: The government has set ambitious targets. In just four years it wants to create at least…

Analysis

Cassava revolution: Boosting production of cassava flour to reduce the wheat import bill
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Holding a loaf of bread in one hand President Goodluck Jonathan extolled the virtues of cassava flour to an assembled audience of journalists and dignitaries at the Federal Executive Council in Abuja in November 2011. Nigerian bakers are being strongly encouraged to bake bread made with up to 40% cassava flour instead of wheat. Leading food manufacturer UTC is one of several firms now selling cassava flour bread. EFFORTS TO LOWER IMPORTS: The move is a top-down strategy to reduce the import…