Nigeria’s Agricultural Outlook under President Buhari and Priorities for the New Administration

Under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria made significant strides in revitalizing the agricultural sector.

Recognizing the sector’s potential to drive economic growth, reduce dependency on oil, and alleviate poverty, President Buhari’s administration implemented several policies and initiatives to transform Nigeria into an agricultural powerhouse.

Agricultural Transformation: President Buhari’s administration placed a strong emphasis on agricultural transformation, with the aim of achieving food security, creating jobs, and diversifying the economy.

The Agricultural Promotion Policy (2016-2020) known as the “Green Alternative,” focused on promoting sustainable agriculture, improving productivity, and reducing import dependency. This policy framework aimed to enhance agricultural value chains, provide farmers with access to credit and modern technologies, and encourage private sector investment in the sector.

Increased Funding and Investment: During President Buhari’s tenure, there was a notable increase in budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector. The administration recognized the importance of adequate funding to support agricultural development. Additionally, efforts were made to attract both domestic and foreign investments in agriculture, particularly through initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers’ Program and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative. These measures aimed to enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the overall competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

Progress in Staple Crop Production: Under President Buhari, there were notable achievements in staple crop production.

The administration focused on boosting the production of key crops like rice, maize, and wheat to reduce importation and promote self-sufficiency. Through initiatives such as the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative and the Rice Revolution Program, Nigeria made significant progress in rice production, with the country witnessing a substantial increase in domestic rice production and a reduction in imports.

Challenges and Priorities for the New Administration

While significant progress has been made, challenges remain that need to be addressed by the new administration to further strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector:

a) Infrastructure Development: The new administration should prioritize improving rural infrastructure, including roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. Enhanced infrastructure will facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, reduce post-harvest losses, and attract private sector investment in agriculture.

b) Climate Change Adaptation: Nigeria is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including unpredictable rainfall patterns and increased pest outbreaks. The new administration should prioritize climate-smart agricultural practices, promote research and development for resilient crop varieties, and invest in irrigation systems to mitigate the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity.

c) Access to Finance and Technology: Ensuring farmers have access to affordable credit, modern farming technologies, and innovative farming practices is crucial. The new administration should strengthen partnerships with financial institutions and technology providers to enhance access to finance and disseminate knowledge on modern farming techniques to smallholder farmers.

d) Value Addition and Agro-processing: To maximize the benefits of agricultural production, there is a need to promote value addition and agro-processing. The new administration should encourage the establishment of agro-processing industries, facilitate access to markets, and provide training and support to farmers to add value to their produce and increase their income.

Under President Buhari’s administration, Nigeria’s agricultural sector witnessed significant improvements. The focus on agricultural transformation, increased funding, and staple crop production contributed to enhancing food security, job creation, and economic diversification.
However, the new administration must address the remaining challenges and prioritize infrastructure development, climate change adaptation, access to finance and technology, and value addition. By building upon the achievements of the previous administration and implementing strategic policies, Nigeria can further unlock her agricultural potentials and further benefit the economy.