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Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Vol.3(1) pp.250 –256 February 2011.
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/?a=journal&id=jabs
Copyright ©2012 Global Research Journals
Review.
DECLINE IN CROP PRODUCTIVITY IN NIGERIA: A REVIEW OF POSSIBLE STRATEGIES FOR SELF RELIANCE, INCREASE AND SUSTAINED PRODUCTION.
BY
1*Amujoyegbe B. J. and 2Elemo K.A
1Department of Crop Production and Protection. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,
2Department of Crop Physiology and Crop Production, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria.
* Corresponding Author’ E-mail: bamujo2002@yahoo.com; bamujo@oauife.edu.ng
Accepted 2nd November 2011.
Abstract
Nigeria agriculture is characterized by small holder farmers (0.05 to 3.0 ha per farm land) scattered over wide expanse of land area, multiple rudimentary cropping systems, low capitalization and low yield per hectare. The agriculture sector in Nigeria economy potentially provides primary means of employment and accounts for more than one-third of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and labour force. It shared about 90% GDP before independence in 1960, 56% between 1960—1969 and 40% since 1986. Decline in the performance of this sector in both GDP and export earnings is reflected in the slower growth of the sector relative to other sectors of the economy, environmental degradation, rapid climatic changes, mounting food deficits, farmer's inability to replenish nutrients lost in the continuous cultivation, increased food prices and import bills attributed to lack of adoption of modern farming technologies. These effects have further impoverished the smallholder farmers, locking them into a poverty web. National strategic importance of food is evident in its consideration as a key variable in matter relating to national security and in planning against disaster and other emergencies. However, a major indicator of depressed performance of the Nigeria agricultural sector is the food crisis experienced in the country in recent time. Hence there is every need to establish national agricultural development strategies directed towards self reliance, sustained and increase production system of smallholder production systems with environmental security.
Keyword: Agriculture, smallholder, farmer, decline, crop productivity, environmental security.