Promoting sustainable community/agricultural development in Nigeria: Kulgul community TfD

Abstract

Community/agricultural development has remained a key agenda in the development plans for both state and national governments. Beyond the national landscape, the United Nations (UN) through the sustainable development goals (SDGs) gives as its first three goals: the eradication of poverty; zero hunger; as well as good health and well-being. These goals justify the priority attention that must be given to community and agricultural development. While these goals are key in the actualization of agricultural development, what becomes an issue is to what extent practical steps that ensure sustainable agricultural development is achieved are taken, especially among rural communities that are most affected. This paper, therefore, examines the role of theatre for development (TfD) as a community-based practice for enhancing rural participation in sustainable agricultural development. It specifically uses the account of the TfD experience in Kulgul community of Billiri Local Government Area (LGA), Gombe State, as a point of departure for analysis and discussion. The study recommends greater commitment in local community empowerment through TfD to drive community action plans (CAPs) for sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.