AGRICULTURE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES FOR THE NORTH WEST ZONE OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

1.     The research is about the development of agriculture in Nigeria: challenges for the North West Zone of Nigeria.  The study set to determine the efforts made by past and current governments at agricultural development in the country.  The research assessed the performance of the sector and effects of these on the economy.  The challenges of agricultural development were also identified.  The ways of developing the sector so that it can compete with the oil sector was then proffered.

2.     The researcher used both primary and secondary sources of information for the study but with a greater reliance on the latter. The analysis of data and Interview was used as part of the information to collate the challenges to agricultural development in the rural areas.  The study revealed that there had been several efforts at agricultural development.  The measures include policies and programmes.  An assessment of the effects of these measures shows that agriculture declined from its premier position giving way to oil as the dominant sector of the economy.

3.     Some challenges to agricultural development in the North West Zone were also identified.  They include low budgetary allocation, inaccessibility to credit by farmers, and inadequate supply of inputs.  The strategies for agricultural/development in the North West Zone of Nigeria, an antidote to these challenges like increased budgetary allocation, accessibility to credit and adequate supply of inputs to farmers were discussed. The Government should also adopt favourable policies in order to increase agricultural production.

4.     Finally, the study made recommendations which would improve agricultural development in the North West Zone of Nigeria. This is with the aim of developing the Nigerian Economy in addition to the oil sector.