Agriculture
is not only basic to human existence but also an important factor in
determining the complexity of the global socio-economic change from the
original, simple and primitive hunter-gather cultures. While the latter ancient
practices ensure a subsistent food and fibre supply, intensive and industrial
farming guarantees large-scale supplies of raw and processed foods, feeds,
fibre, fuel and other goods for community consumption and incomes, and foreign
exchange earnings for national development as well as global advancement.
The
role of agriculture in human development can therefore, not be overemphasized.
This
article is expected to:
• Discuss the various ways through which farming sustains human existence
• Identify the contribution of the agricultural sector to Gross World Production
(GWP) in general, and Nigeria’s economic development in particular.
Importance of Agriculture in Nigeria
1.
Provision of the basic food requirements of human populations.
2.
It is the predominant occupation of the working population, especially in
agrarian nations.
3.
An important way of life, culture and
custom of the people. Customs and festivals are observed in consonance with agricultural
seasons, activities and products in most rural communities. Hunting on both
agricultural and wild areas is a way of life, and hobby, in rural settings.
4.
The major source of income, especially for the rural populace.
6.
Provision of raw materials for manufacturing industries, such as feed mills,
textile factories, vegetable oil mills, packaging, biopharmaceuticals,
industrial chemicals and leather.
7.
Agricultural experts are of great importance in foreign exchange earnings and
government revenue.
8. Agriculture
Contributes More to Nigeria's GDP Than Petroleum. Agriculture Currently Accounts for Over 30% Of Employment
Opportunities in Nigeria. Nigeria Has a Total Agricultural Land Area Of 70.8
million Hectares. Crop Production Is the Largest Subsector of Agriculture in
Nigeria.
Global Contribution of Agriculture
About
42% of the World’s laborers are employed in agriculture, thus making it by far
the most common occupation. In spite of this, agricultural production sector
accounts for less than 5% of the Gross World Production, GWP (i.e. 5% of the
aggregate of all national Gross Domestic Products, GDP).
Sectoral Contribution of
Agriculture in Nigeria
1.
Nigeria still remains an agrarian economy, in spite of the growing importance
of oil. Subsistence agriculture is most important in the provision of staple
foods (especially rice, maize, beans, taro/cocoyam, yams, cassava, sorghum,
millet) for the teeming Nigerian populace.
However,
limited excess quantities of the harvested produce are sold in local markets
for little incomes.
2.
Generally, agriculture employs about 70% of the active labour force of the
population, and this serves to augment the earnings from local produce sales.
The
raising of livestock (principally goats, sheep, cattle and poultry) and
artisanal fisheries are also significant for income generation.
3.
New yam festivals and most traditional wedding and customary ceremonies are
usually observed during farm seasons.
4.
Several industries use local agricultural products in their production
operations. These include textile factories (cotton), oil mills and soap
factories (groundnut, soyabean, and palm oil), packaging (jute, sisal),
biopharmaceuticals (legal, illegal drugs), industrial chemicals (starch, sugar,
and alcohols), plywood factory (timber), paper mills (timber), beverage
industries (cocoa, coffee, and tea), canning factory (tomato, sweet peppers, beef), leather
factory (hides) and tyre factory (rubber). 5. The agricultural sector remains
the largest contributor to the Nigerian economy. The World Bank estimated an
annual growth rate of 2.9% for agricultural GDP in Nigeria from 1990-1998.
In
1998, the agricultural sector GDP contribution to the economy was 32%. Figures
for the sectoral contribution and growth rate of agriculture GDP to the
Nigerian economy for 1999-2006.
Conclusion on the Importance
of Agriculture in Nigeria
Agriculture
is fundamental to human existence, not only at the individual and community
levels but also at the global level, where international agricultural and
associated trade fosters food security.
In
this article, you have learned that
•
Agriculture gives food, employment, income and clothing,
•
Exported crops and crop products give foreign exchange for national
development,
•
Agriculture makes significant sectoral contribution globally and locally with
respect to the Nigerian economy.
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