Agriculture remains one of the most critical sectors in Nigeria’s economy, employing over 70% of the rural population and contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite Nigeria’s abundant arable land, favorable climate, and large workforce, the agricultural sector continues to underperform. This underperformance is largely due to numerous persistent challenges that limit productivity, discourage investment, and affect food security. Understanding these Major Problems of Agriculture in Nigeria is essential for addressing Nigeria’s food system deficiencies and achieving sustainable agricultural development.
Meaning of Agriculture
Agriculture refers to the science, art, and business of cultivating soil, growing crops, and rearing animals for food, raw materials, and other products used to sustain life. In Nigeria, agriculture includes crop production, livestock farming, fisheries, forestry, and agro-processing. The majority of Nigerian farmers are smallholders who rely on traditional methods and face limited access to modern inputs and support services.
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10 Major Problems of Agriculture in Nigeria
1. Poor Infrastructure
One of the biggest obstacles facing Nigerian agriculture is poor infrastructure, particularly in rural farming areas. Most feeder roads are unpaved and become impassable during the rainy season, making it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets. The absence of reliable electricity also affects irrigation systems, agro-processing industries, and storage facilities. Without good transportation, power, and storage systems, farmers often incur post-harvest losses and earn less from their produce.
Example: A tomato farmer in Kaduna may lose up to 40% of harvested produce due to bad roads and lack of cold storage.
2. Inadequate Access to Agricultural Credit
Farmers in Nigeria often struggle to access loans or affordable financing for their farming operations. Most commercial banks view agriculture as a high-risk sector and demand collateral, which smallholder farmers cannot provide. Government schemes like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme have helped, but challenges in distribution, bureaucracy, and repayment persist. Without credit, farmers cannot afford fertilizers, improved seeds, irrigation systems, or machinery.
Stat: Less than 5% of Nigerian farmers have access to formal agricultural financing (CBN report).
3. Land Tenure System
The land tenure system in Nigeria is complex, often governed by traditional and customary laws. Many farmers operate on communal or inherited land without formal documentation. This insecurity makes it difficult to invest in long-term farming or use land as collateral. Moreover, land disputes are common and discourage both local and foreign investment in agriculture.
Impact: Commercial farming is hindered due to lack of access to large, secure tracts of land.
4. Low Level of Mechanization
Most Nigerian farmers still depend on manual tools like hoes and cutlasses, which significantly reduce the scale and efficiency of farming. The lack of tractors, harvesters, planters, and irrigation technology limits productivity and increases labor demands. While some state governments have introduced tractor hiring schemes, access remains low due to cost and poor distribution.
Fact: Nigeria has fewer than 10 tractors per 100 square kilometers of arable land—far below FAO recommendations.
5. Pests and Diseases
Crop and livestock farmers regularly deal with pest infestations and disease outbreaks that reduce yields and destroy entire farms. Common crop pests include stem borers, armyworms, and aphids, while livestock farmers contend with diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, Newcastle disease, and swine fever. Many farmers lack access to pesticides, veterinary care, or extension services for early detection and treatment.
Example: In 2020, the Fall Armyworm outbreak destroyed thousands of hectares of maize across northern Nigeria.
6. Inconsistent Government Policies
Agricultural policies in Nigeria often change with every new administration. Programs may be launched with great publicity but suffer from poor implementation, inadequate funding, or lack of continuity. For example, initiatives like Operation Feed the Nation and the Green Revolution were promising but eventually abandoned. This instability discourages investment and long-term planning in the sector.
Observation: Farmers and investors need policy stability to plan and grow agricultural businesses.
7. Poor Storage and Processing Facilities
Post-harvest losses are a major issue in Nigeria, especially for perishable crops like tomatoes, onions, fruits, and vegetables. Lack of modern silos, cold storage, and processing plants forces farmers to sell quickly at low prices. This reduces profits and limits food availability outside harvest seasons.
Stat: Nigeria loses up to ₦3.5 trillion annually to post-harvest losses (Federal Ministry of Agriculture).
8. Climate Change and Unpredictable Weather Patterns
Climate change has made farming more unpredictable in Nigeria. Rainfall patterns have shifted, with prolonged droughts in some areas and flooding in others. This disrupts planting and harvesting cycles and reduces productivity. Most farmers still rely on rainfall instead of irrigation, making them highly vulnerable to weather fluctuations.
Case: In 2022, flooding displaced over 100,000 farmers and destroyed vast farmlands in Kogi, Anambra, and Bayelsa states.
9. Inadequate Agricultural Research and Extension Services
Nigeria has several agricultural research institutes, but most are underfunded and lack updated equipment. Additionally, extension services meant to transfer new technologies and farming methods to local farmers are limited. This knowledge gap means many farmers continue to use outdated practices, leading to low yields and inefficiency.
Only 1 extension agent exists for every 10,000 farmers—far below the FAO’s recommendation of 1 per 800.
10. Insecurity and Farmer-Herder Conflicts
In recent years, insecurity has become a major threat to agriculture in Nigeria. Armed banditry, kidnappings, and violent conflicts between farmers and nomadic herders have led to the abandonment of farms, especially in the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria. Many farmers have been killed, displaced, or forced to migrate, reducing food supply and increasing prices.
Impact: Thousands of hectares of farmland remain uncultivated in conflict-prone areas like Benue, Zamfara, and Katsina.
Solutions to Problems of Agriculture in Nigeria
To overcome the challenges facing agriculture in Nigeria, several practical and long-term solutions must be implemented. First, there is a need for greater investment in agricultural infrastructure such as rural roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities, as these will reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ access to markets. Mechanization should also be promoted by making modern farming equipment affordable and accessible to smallholder farmers through subsidies, cooperatives, and government-backed loans. In addition, providing farmers with improved seedlings, fertilizers, and agrochemicals can significantly increase productivity and ensure better crop yields.
Another vital solution lies in agricultural financing and policy support, as many Nigerian farmers lack access to credit facilities. Strengthening agricultural banks, creating farmer-friendly loan schemes, and ensuring timely disbursement of funds will encourage greater investment in the sector. Equally important is improving extension services and farmer education, as training in modern farming practices, pest control, and sustainable methods will equip farmers to maximize efficiency. Furthermore, tackling insecurity in rural farming areas, promoting research and innovation, and addressing climate change through climate-smart practices are critical steps to achieving sustainable growth. If these solutions are effectively implemented, agriculture in Nigeria can transform into a strong driver of food security, employment creation, and economic development.
Importance of Addressing These Problems
- Boosts food production and national food security
- Reduces hunger, poverty, and unemployment
- Encourages youth involvement and innovation in agriculture
- Enhances agricultural exports and foreign exchange earnings
- Promotes rural development and social stability
Conclusion on Major Problems of Agriculture in Nigeria
The problems facing agriculture in Nigeria are diverse, deep-rooted, and interconnected. From infrastructural deficits and poor funding to climate change and insecurity, each issue contributes to the sector’s underperformance. Solving these problems requires a multi-level approach involving the government, private sector, NGOs, and farming communities. With the right policies, modern technologies, and sustained investment, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector and achieve food self-sufficiency and economic growth.
Revision Questions
- Mention five major problems of agriculture in Nigeria.
- How does the land tenure system affect agriculture in Nigeria?
- What are the effects of poor storage on agricultural production?
- How has climate change affected Nigerian farmers?
- Suggest ways to solve the problem of low mechanization in agriculture.
Answers
- Poor infrastructure, land tenure system, pests and diseases, low mechanization, and insecurity.
- It prevents secure land ownership, limits investment, and creates land disputes.
- It causes post-harvest losses, reduces farmer income, and increases food waste.
- It leads to irregular rainfall, flooding, drought, and unpredictable farming seasons.
- Provide affordable tractors, invest in farm mechanization schemes, and train farmers in equipment use.