Agricultural policy in Nigeria: challenges for the 21st century

Abstract

Agricultural policy-making in Nigeria has been through changes over time. During each phase, the characteristics of policy have reflected the roles expected of the sector and the relative endowment of resources. In particular, the emergence of petroleum as a major source of revenue had meant that more revenue was available for funding of programmes. It also meant that agriculture no longer commanded the same amount of attention it did in the earlier periods. These notwithstanding, agricultural policy had been dynamic. Institutions were created while others were disbanded depending on the exigencies of the time. Hence the marketing Boards gave way to commodity boards and production companies; the River Basin development