ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATE AGRICULTURAL

TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE CROPS

FARMING IN NIGERIA*
By:

Engr. (Prof.) K. C. ONI (FNIAE, FNSE)

Executive Director/CEO, NCAM, ILORIN

1.0

INTRODUCTION

One of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals is to reduce hunger and
poverty by half, by the year 2015, and the national food security programme of the
present administration is aimed at achieving this objective. Agriculture has been
identified as a strategic sector that would address the multiple challenges of
achieving a broad based objective of economic growth, creating wealth and
employment, reducing poverty, and attaining national food security as well as
putting Nigeria among the 20 world leading economies by the year 2020. To this
end, the federal government plans to promote large scale commercial farming of
between 500 and 3000 hectares farm sizes while targeting a total of between 6 and
10 million hectares over a four year period.
This workshop, it is hoped, will provide important guidelines and leeway for
commercial arable farming in Nigeria.
2.0

TRANSITION FROM SUBSISTENCE TO COMMERCIAL FARMING

2.1

Subsistence Farming

Subsistence farming is self sufficient farming in which farmers grow only enough food
to feed their family. The typical subsistence farm has a range of crops and animals
needed by the family to eat during the year. Planting decisions are made with an
eye towards what the family will need during the coming year, rather than on
market prices. Waters (2006) highlighted that, "Subsistence peasants are people who
grow what they eat, build their own houses, and live without regularly making
purchases in the marketplace." It was the dominant mode of production in the world
until recently when market-based capitalism became widespread.

An Invited Paper Presented at the Workshop on Commercial Farming of Arable Crops in

Nigeria Organised by the Nigerian Agricultural, Co-operative and Rural Development Bank
Ltd, held at Kwara Hotel, Ilorin, 16th 18th June, 2009.

In the absence of technology, the area of land that a farmer can cultivate each
season is limited by such factors as available tools and the quality of the soil. Tools
used by subsistence farmers are often primitive. Most farmers do not have access to
large domesticated work animals, and therefore clear, toil, and harvest their goods
using hoes and cutlasses.
Land clearing in which farmers clear plots of farmland by cutting down all brush,
allowing the debris to dry, and later burning the fallen refuse are done using
cutlasses and axes in some cases, while ridging, planting and harvesting of crops are
done with hoes and cutlasses.
The use of simple farm tools for agricultural production does not only bring-about
serious human drudgery with little achievements but discourage timeliness and
perfection.
In countries which are sparsely populated, subsistence farming could be sustainable
for a long time. However, in more densely populated countries like Nigeria with over
one hundred and forty million people, subsistence farming may not only give room
for the importation of more food items to meet the food requirements of the growing
population and urbanization, but deplete the soil of nutrients, and damage the
environment. This is because the use of new technology on cultural practice is not
encouraged in subsistence farming.
Subsistence farming in Nigeria typically uses few fertilizers and no machines. Instead
the farmers may use draft animals, especially in northern Nigeria, which can be fed
and raised on the farm. Subsistence farmers often rely on crop rotation, animal
manure, and compost to restore the nutrients rather than purchasing expensive
synthetic fertilizers. This agriculture can limit the amount of growth in a season.
One form of subsistence farming is shifting cultivation, a practice common with rain
fed agricultural systems. Farmers typically abandon a given plot when soil fertility
wanes and move on to more fertile land, often utilizing slash and burn techniques,
exposing the former plot to environmental hazards like desertification, while the
techniques used on the new plot destroys the active micro-organisms in the soil. A
considerable fallow period ensues on the abandoned land. It takes up the least
amount of land among the four types of cultivation, but it only provides enough
food for the local population.
2.2

Rainfed and Irrigated Farming in Nigeria

Nigeria has a total land mass of about 923 768 km2 and a survey by JICA in the 1980s
shows that 39% of the Nigerian land mass is potentially suitable for agriculture, that is,
360.26952 km2. Out of this, between 4.0 and 4.5 million ha (approximately 4.5 to
5.0%of the land) are adjudged suitable for irrigated agriculture but only 1.1 million ha

can be supported fully by the water available, the remaining 3.4 million ha being
fadama. (NINCID, 1999).
In 1987, FAO prepared a working document on the "Need and Justification of
Irrigation Development" which undertook a scientific assessment of the size of
populations that the agricultural land resources of African countries can support. The
report assumed a projected population for Nigeria in year 2025 of 238 million, 47.90
million hectares of potential rainfed land and 2.00 million and 3.73 million hectares
potential shorter and longer transport irrigable land. The shorter transport irrigable
lands were defined as land close to the source of the irrigation water i.e. transport
distances were limited to those within one agro-ecological zone. On the other hand,
longer transport referred to land further away from source: irrigation water may be
transported from one agro-ecological zone to another. The potentials were
calculated for three alternate levels of inputs namely, low level of inputs,
intermediate level of input and high level of input.
The water resources development for agricultural purposes was in the hands of the
private sector for the production of sugar cane with only a minor role by states in the
northern region of Nigeria. Irrigation practice was rudimentary, using residual flood
waters and moisture in the low lands called fadama (flash flood plains), and
supplemented with shaduf (a traditional device that lifts water onto the land). The
main crops produced using these traditional methods of irrigation were vegetables
and rice.
Areas under irrigation include areas equipped with full or partial water control, spate
irrigation, equipped wetlands and inland valley bottoms (including fadamas),
irrespective of their size or management type. From a survey undertaken by FMWR in
1995, it appears that irrigated areas in Nigeria amounts to some 974,900 hectares.
Though, the exact amount of land under irrigation is difficult to estimate, because
there is no clear commonly agreed definition of irrigation that is adopted by all.
However, based on past trends and on the present agricultural policy of Nigeria, a
tentative scenario depicts irrigation between years 2000 and 2025. The scenario
does not foresee a significant increase of irrigated area between now and year
2025. According to projection, land under irrigation has increased at less than 1% per
annum in the last decade. It is not foreseen that the situation would change
significantly because of many reasons. The harvested irrigated areas would increase
from the estimated current figure of (974,500*1.2) = 1 169 400 hectares in 2009 to
about (1,567,422 * 1.5) = 2,351,133 hectares in 2025 (NINCID, 1999).
The initial case for development of irrigation in Nigeria was based in part, with the
need to sustain a growth in the food supply that would broadly lead to national
food security. It is on record that between 1976 and 1990, Nigerian government has
invested over US $ 2000 million of public funds on the development of large to

medium scale public irrigation projects. Irrigated agriculture has since then
witnessed a spectacular growth, rising from slightly more than 25,000 ha of irrigated
farmland in 1975 to the current 974,900 ha. Amongst these, is the establishment of
three pilot public irrigation schemes, all in the sub-arid and dry sub-humid agroecological zones, namely: Bakolori Scheme, the Kano River Irrigation Scheme and
the Chad Basin Scheme in the early 1970s, which was as a result of FAO and US
Bureau of Reclamation studies. The success of these pilot schemes coupled with the
five-year drought (1970-1975) later led to the establishment of 11 River Basin
Development Authorities (RBDAs) across the nation (NINCID, 1999).
So many other irrigation schemes have been established under these River Basin
Development Authorities since inception, with the aim of providing food for all
through food security projects.
2.3

Commercial Farming

Commercial farming can be defined as the production of crops for sale, crops
intended

for

widespread

distribution

to

wholesalers

or

retail

outlets

(e.g.

supermarkets), and any non-food crops such as cotton and tobacco, and food
crops.

Commercial farming includes livestock production and livestock grazing.

However, commercial farming does not include crops grown for household
consumption (e.g. backyard garden or from a vegetable garden or a few fruit
trees.)
Commercial farming can further be said to be a progression from diversified farming,
where the farmer's intention is to produce goods for sale primarily for widespread
consumption by others. The farmer may acquire a sufficiently large amount of
arable land and/or sufficiently advanced technology (such as hybrid seeds,
fertilizers, pesticides, etc.). At this point, it may become more profitable for the
farmer to specialize and focus on one or a few particular crops due to economies of
scale. This may be further augmented by higher levels of technology that might
significantly reduce the risk of poor harvests.
Another important difference between commercial farming and subsistence
farming is the new emphasis on capital formation, scientific progress and
technological developments, as opposed to a reliance mainly on natural resource
utilization that is common to subsistence and diversified farming.
Commercial farming development projects are basically established to strengthen
agricultural production systems and facilitate access to market for targeted value
chains among small, medium and large scale commercial farmers.

2.4

Investment in Irrigation

Nigeria is listed by FAO among nations that are at the moment technically unable to
meet their food needs from rainfed production at low level of inputs and appear
likely to remain so even at intermediate levels of inputs, between 2000 and 2025.
The Investment in Irrigation to supplement rainfed agriculture has become necessary
to alleviate food insecurity for the teeming population of Nigeria. Food security,
considered as the access to food at all times by all peoples, is one of the major
concerns of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Food demand grows at the same
pace as the population growth but because of the modification of diet in the cities
(increasing consumption of rice and wheat among the cereals), part of the demand
would have to be met through food imports, not because these demand cannot be
met at home (Nigeria) but because there are no total commitment to commercial
agriculture on both rainfed and irrigated farming (NINCID, 1999).
However, it is important to note that the development of water resources, especially
for irrigation purposes in Nigeria, dates back to the Pre-colonial era and the
traditional application of water to land for dry season farming in Northern Nigeria
was one of the earliest attempts made towards increasing agricultural production.
Though Nigeria has not developed irrigation to the same extent as other developing
nations, particularly in Asia, only about a million hectares is currently irrigated in
Nigeria. By contrast, India, which has about 3.5 times the land mass of Nigeria,
irrigates nearly forty-five (45) times as much land.
Nigerian government (federal, states and some few local governments) has invested
so much in irrigation through the provision of some basic irrigation infrastructures
ranging from dams (concrete and earth dams), weir, boreholes (motorized and
hand-pump operated), canals (main and minor canals), sprinklers, etc; even the
seeds and seedlings were provided through farm managers and extension agents.
2.5

Arable Crops Grown in Nigeria

'Arable' is the term used to describe the system of farming which uses ploughed
fields to grow crops. Arable farming has made Nigeria sustainable ever before the
discovery of petroleum. Therefore commercial arable farming is the cultivation of
land to grow crops on a large scale. It is carried out, either as rainfed or irrigated
scheme. Commercial Arable farming involves the use of large acreage of land and
usually goes with mechanization, i.e. the use of farm machineries and implements
like tractors, cultivators, ploughs, harrows, boom sprayers, etc. It also includes the
application of modern agricultural practices like irrigation, drainage, crop rotation,
fertilizer application, etc. Specialization is also encouraged in commercial farming as
it involves the expertise of many professionals in various fields connected with

agriculture, e.g. Agronomy, Irrigation, Land Management, crop processing,

Research and Development, Marketing, etc. Necessary basic amenities and
infrastructures also need to be provided for effective commercial arable farming.
It is however pertinent to know that agriculture engages about 70% of the labor
force. Nigerian agriculture was in small and scattered farm holdings and farming is
often at the subsistence level, characterized by simple tools and shifting cultivation.
These small farms produce about 80% of the total food from about 30.7 million
hectares (76 million acres), representing 33% of Nigeria's total land area. Agriculture
contributed 32% to GDP in 2001 (www.nationsencyclopedia.com (Africa) NigeriaAgriculture.html). This subsistence farming has also been practiced mostly on rainfed
mode.
Agricultural products grown in Nigeria can be divided into two main groups: food
crops, produced for home consumption, and export products. The most important
food crops are yams and manioc (cassava) in the south and sorghum (Guinea corn)
and millet in the north. In 1999, production of yams was 25.1 million tons (67% of
world production); cassava (manioc), 33.1 million tons (highest in the world and 20%
of global production); cocoyams (taro), 3.3 million tons; and sweet potatoes,
1,560,000 tons. The 1999 production estimates for major crops were as follows (in
thousands of tons): sorghum, 8,443; millet, 5,457; corn, 5,777; rice, 3,399; peanuts,
2,783; palm oil, 842; sugar cane, 675; palm kernel, 565; soybeans, 405; and cotton
lint, 57. Many fruits and vegetables are also grown by Nigerian farmers.
Cocoa was the leading non-oil foreign exchange earner; however, growth in the
sector has been slow since the abolition of the Nigerian Cocoa Board. The
dominance of small-holders in the cocoa sector and the lack of farm labour due to
urbanization have led to a drastic decline in cocoa production. Nigeria has the
potential to produce over 300,000 tons of cocoa beans per year, but production
only amounted to 145,000 tons in 1999. Rubber is the second-largest non-oil foreign
exchange earner. Despite favorable prices, production has fallen from 155,000 tons
in 1991 to 90,000 tons in 1999. Low yield, aging trees, and lack of proper equipment
have inhibited production
2.6

Transition from Subsistence to Commercial Arable Farming

Subsistence farming is highly limited in terms of productivity; this is not unconnected

with the limited capacity of the simple tools used in farm operations, coupled with
the limited manpower used in production; more than 90% of farm operations in
Nigeria are carried out using farm tools (Anazodo et al., 1989). The inability of rainfed
agriculture to provide the required quantity of moisture for agricultural crops when
needed makes matters even worse. Therefore the need arise to find workable
solutions to the limitations highlighted above and many other, hence the need for

the introduction of mechanization into agriculture. Agricultural mechanization can

be described as the development, introduction, and the use of mechanized
assistance of all forms and at any level of sophistication in agricultural
mechanization. It involves design, development, operation and maintenance of
prime movers and devices for agricultural land development, crop production,
processing and storage. However, in Nigeria, three levels of mechanization can be
identified, these includes hand tool technology, draught animal technology and
engine power technology. It must be noted that the mechanization needs of the
farmer will depend on the power requirements of the farm as determined by the
farm size, the production system and the extent to which existing power supply is a
constraint on improving output (Onwualu et al., 2006).
Due to the limitations of the subsistence farming, alongside rainfed agriculture, the
need arose to move on to improved production scale that will feed Nigerias
teeming population. Amongst the three levels of mechanization enumerated, the
second level of mechanization, i.e. draught animal technology has been adopted
in several parts of the country, especially in the northern part of the country, but it is
still limited in production level, and with a lots of challenges too. Hence commercial
arable farming will rely mostly on engine powered mechanization technology.
3.0

POTENTIALS OF COMMERCIAL ARABLE CROP FARMING IN NIGERIA

The contribution of Commercial arable farming to the economy could be measured

from its impact on certain economic indicators. Shyllon (1998) identified these key
indicators to include the following:
3.1

Reduction of Inflation Rate

The most basic and direct impact of reduction of inflation rate in the economy on
the average Nigerian is felt more on the prices of primary food items. Given the
various theories of the behaviour of man, it is obvious that the satisfaction of man's
food requirement is the first basic need of man. Where inflation erodes the ability of
man to satisfy this first need for his existence, then life in itself is threatened and
makes governance near impossible. One can derive justification for this assumption
from the popular saying - a hungry man is an angry man and, of course, it would
imperatively mean that an angry man would be difficult to govern. An analysis of
this symbiosis shows how inflation in the midst of poor supply of agricultural products
can lead to chaos and anarchy. Not only that, since a large proportion of industry
requires raw materials from the agricultural sector, a depletion of supply through the
parasitic effect of inflation ultimately leads to greater decline in economic
performance of the nation.

3.2

Employment Generation

Undoubtedly, commercial farming could be one of the largest employers of labour

in such a peasant economy as Nigeria. In the advanced world, only about 5 per
cent is engaged in agricultural production. In Nigeria, between 65 per cent and 75
per cent of the populace is engaged in agricultural production on a peasant scale.
It is obvious that any attempt to commercialize arable farming will improve this
percentage, not only in terms of reducing the farming population directly engaged
in food production, but significantly multiplying the output such that Nigeria will be
better able to produce enough food and raw materials for the populace and for
the industries. The nation would equally be able to earn substantial amount of
foreign exchange for its development.

The excess people displaced from

agriculture due to commercial farming can then be properly trained and engaged
in other sectors of the economy for the widening of the scope and output in the
economy.
3.3

Increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being the aggregate of all domestically
generated revenue is a measure of a nations economic growth.

In a peasant

economy such as Nigeria, domestically generated revenue could be greatly

improved by investing in commercial farming.

This is because a well-funded

agricultural sector would not only ensure adequate provision of food to feed our
ever growing population and provide raw materials for industries, but would also
provide for export purposes and increase the quantity of goods and services
produced in the economy.

The increased revenue so derived can be used in

developing other important sectors of our economy, thus raising the living standard
of the populace and boosting the economic prosperity of the nation.
Commercial arable farming would also reduce the number of people engaged in
agricultural production and make them available for other useful purposes that will
generate more revenue for the economy.
3.4

Balance of Payment

A country that relies heavily on imported food and raw materials to feed her
populace and to satisfy her industrial requirements without adequate export
activities to offset this import expenditure cannot be expected to have a favourable
balance of payment. Indeed, such an economy is prone to economic instability as
it is would become vulnerable to the whims and caprices of her trading partners on
which it is dependent.
The yearly poor performance of Nigeria's balance of payment position could be
significantly improved as evidenced from the performance of such other countries

that depend on agriculture for economic prosperity such as Denmark, Malaysia, etc.
It can be imagined what (balance of payment) benefits would have accrued to
Nigeria if the huge revenue derived from petroleum over the years had been
effectively utilized in developing the commercial arable farming, with all its multiplier
effects on the life of our nation.
4.0

ENHANCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL ARABLE FARMING IN

NIGERIA

4.1

Developing New Areas

More production can be realized by developing new areas. Expansion of rainfed

agriculture will in most cases include conversion of natural forests, mountain slopes or
marginal soils, resulting in disturbed ecosystems and increased erosion. To achieve
the same production increment, less land can be developed if provided with
irrigation. However, the best places are already occupied and development of new
areas will be more costly. Much attention has to be paid to the rehabilitation of
poorly performing systems, especially those degraded due to poor management.
Development of drainage systems and improved water management practices
could return large areas to productive use.
Rainfed agriculture will remain the main producer of traditional cereals and tubers.
Self sufficiency of traditional cereals is important for the household food security of
rural populations. Rainfed production will grow at the rate of the rural population.
Irrigation will grow as fast as the urban demand in fruit, vegetable and rice.
However, at the national level, wheat will continue to be imported, while rice
production will increase; yet the percentage of import may have to be kept at its
present level. Local rice production would mostly come from irrigated farms and be
supplemented from fadamas and rainfed production.
4.2

Urbanization

Urbanization will also increase water withdrawals for domestic and industrial use
resulting in less water being made available for agriculture. Though the quantity of
water withdrawal for domestic and industrial uses might be relatively small, the
quality of the return flows from both, are often seriously degraded. Because water is
essential for agriculture, the most important external environmental effects on
agriculture are related to the availability and quality of water.
More so that, water resource potential of Nigeria is estimated to be 250,000 million
cubic meters (MCM) comprising 190,000 MCM of surface water with the balance in
the form of groundwater. This not withstanding, water is still a limiting factor to

agriculture in most part of the country, especially in the semi-arid and sub-humid
zones lying above latitude eleven degrees (110) north.
Rural to urban drift, particularly by the youth, in search of greener pasture, increasing
urban food demand without directly contributing to it, is a serious global problem
4.3

Crops Grown

The major crops grown in the country can be divided into two main groups: food
crops (produced for consumption) and cash crops. Despite the importance of the
cash crops, the primary policy of agriculture is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in its
food requirements. However, not all crops can individually be cultivated in all parts
of Nigeria; this is because of so many factors that include among others, climatic
and vegetation differences, soil types, pest and disease infested areas. For instance,
cotton and groundnuts are cultivated in the north, while cocoa and oil palm are for
the south. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, there are obvious limitations to
where and to what extent certain crops can be cultivated.
4.4

Land Tenure System

As some people own surplus arable lands, so it is that some suffer in search of it to
cultivate some crops; some of these land owners trade with the land extorting the
hard working people that are ready to put it to use. Government on her part has
tried through the Ministries of agriculture and agencies like NALDA to make
agricultural land available to all as much as possible, but alas, not much progress
was made.
The problem of land ownership in Nigeria has no doubt affected agricultural
development; as not all have equal right and access to land, especially agricultural
lands.
4.5

Soil Type and Fertility

Nigeria is divided into diverse ecological and eco-climatic Zones. Based on these,
different crops are grown at different regions. These have affected the types of soil
and soil fertility and off-course the species of microorganism there with.
The micro-organism found in soil help to nourish the soil in many ways, among which
is the decomposition/degradation of both organic and inorganic (foreign) materials;
converting them into useful elements in the soil, and invariably placing different soil
nutrients at different places in different times of the year.

10

4.6

Fresh Water Availability

Population growth reduces the per capita availability of fresh water supplies,
leading to stress or even scarcity. Under a new classification scheme, a country with
an annual renewable fresh water supply per capita of more than 1,700 cubic meters
(m3) will experience only occasional scarcity of fresh water supplies.
5.0

TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE FARMING IN NIGERIA

Technology as a term means many things to several people and these depend on
the setting or the context.

Broadly defined, however, technology implies any

practical art which utilizes scientific knowledge. The object is usually to advance
and enhance human society and conditions. Technology is used to harness the
forces of nature and transform the resources that nature has bestowed on man, into
goods and services for better quality life.

Such goods and services range from

power generation to military weaponry, from food production to food processing

storage and packaging, to housing and to every other human needs and activities.
Because of the vast agricultural potentialities of Nigeria, major technological
investments would be expected in crops, livestock and fisheries production to
advance entrepreneurial abilities of investors in the sector as well as to ensure
national self-sufficiency in food and fibre production. Investments would also be
required in the main and subsidiary industries that would use agricultural produce as
raw material. Investment would similarly be required in commodity trading to help
stabilize and guarantee prices for farmers and local processors.
This paper highlights some of the technologies that have been developed for
commercial arable farming in Nigeria.
5.1

Traditional Technologies:

These are the simplest and most basic technology for agricultural mechanization in
use to some extent for commercial agriculture in Nigeria. These technologies range
from the traditional cutlasses and hoes, to the developed stick and stone tools which
are the only means to enhance labour productivity in the pre-historic times. These
hand tool technologies use man as a power source; and are inefficient and
ineffective. Man is limited to about 0.1hp continuous power output and is therefore,
grossly inefficient as a primary source of power. However, in many parts of Nigeria
where arable farmers are predominantly peasants, traditional technologies are still
important.
As a step further in the traditional technology, animal muscle power is substituted for
human power, a process which already started in ancient civilization.

A large

variety of implements and machines have been developed which use animals as

11

the principal power source. According to Ajav (2000), the current animal traction
areas of the country can be classified into four distinct regions, namely:

Active Animal Traction Region (AATR)

Semi-Active Animal Traction Region (SAATR)

Introductory Animal Traction Region (IATR)

None Animal Tractor Region (NATR)

The following is the overall view of the animal traction technology in Nigerian Arable
farming, (Ajav, 2000)
-

Over 2 million Farmers spread across 19 states of the federation are actively
involved in the use of animal traction.

Less than 10% of the 2 million active animal traction farmers exploit the full
potentials of animal traction through the use of limited available implements.
Most of other farmers are only familiar with the ridging and transport
equipment and their operation.

Most farmers lack animal drawn equipment like ploughs, harrows, planters,
weeders and harvesters.

Animal traction implements/equipment are mostly produced and maintained

by local blacksmiths. These blacksmiths are mostly constrained by insufficient
patronage, unavailability of raw materials, inadequate workshop facilities
and ineffective marketing strategies.

Table 1: Estimates of areas under different power sources in Northern states of

Nigeria

Number of farmers (million)

Area cultivated (ha/farmer/yr)
Total area cultivated annually (million Ha)
Percent of total area (%)
5.2

Hoe
7.5
1.0
7.5
86.0

Power Source
Animal power
0.1
5.0
0.5
5.5

Tractor
0.015
50.0
0.75
8.5

Improved Technologies

Okigbo (1988) summarized the engineering and improved technological inputs

presently used in traditional and modern commercial arable farming (Table 1).
However, it is obvious that to transform Nigerias largely traditional farming system to
modern commercial one, there is the need to inject in the system, substantial
engineering and technological inputs that are properly managed in terms of both

12

environment and existing/potential technologies (Asoegwu and Asoegwu, 2007).

For commercial arable farming to succeed, agricultural production, processing and
utilization must necessarily move from the present subsistence nature to a
commercial one through mechanization which must be environmentally friendly.
Efforts are being geared towards the replacement of human operator with
mechanical systems including automated ones as human operations are
inconsistent and less efficient.
There is ample evidence that the contribution of internally generated improved
technology in Nigerias agricultural sector is substantial. Appreciable achievements
have been made in respect of food processing and storage especially at the
commercial farm levels. Development of grain silos and other storage systems has
enabled the long storage of bulk grain produce. Silos (5 - 2500MT capacities) and
warehouses (200-500MT capacities) have been built by Government agencies (The
National Food Reserve Agency). Generally, in an effort to reduce human drudgery,
minimize labour costs and enhance overall productivity and efficiency, the national
research system have designed, fabricated and tested an array of improved
agricultural tools and equipment suitable for use under Nigerias socio-economic
environment and conditions.
Scientists in research institutes have developed improved varieties of different local
arable crops like cowpea, soyabean, cassava, plantain, banana, rice, etc using a
lot of improved agricultural mechanization technologies. The increased production
of most crops in the northern part of Nigeria is due mainly to improved varieties and
increased engineering input including irrigation facilities.

13

Table 2: Technologies used in Traditional and Modern commercial Farming

Description
Land Area

Traditional Farming
Small (1-5ha)

Modern Commercial Farming

Large (10-100ha or more)

Tools/Equipment

Simple: fire, hoe, axe,

digging, sticks, matchets

Crops

Many
species
(5-80)
landraces, no genetic
improvement,
wide
genetic base
Several species
Manual, human energy or
animal power
Follows,
ash,
organic
manures

Complex:
Tractors
and
implements, threshers, and
other better quality and higher
output equipment.
Few Species (1-3) improved
narrow genetic base.

Animals
Labour
Soil
maintenance

fertility

Pests and Disease

management
Crop management

Physical/cultural

Harvesting

Manual or with simple tools

Post harvest handling

and drying

Simple sun-drying or over

fires

Manual

Usually 1-2 species

Mechanical, petroleum fuels,
electric energy
Inorganic fertilizers, sometimes
manure, soil amendments, eg.
Lime, etc.
Mainly mechanical/chemical
(insecticides, fungicides, etc)
Growth
regulators
for
defoliation
control
of
flowering, fruit drop, etc.
Mechanical Tractors, plus
implements:
threshers,
combine harvesters.
Mechanical
forced
air,
artificial
drying
using
petroleum fuels, sometimes
refrigeration.

Source: Okigbo 1988

5.3

Appropriate Technologies:

The term appropriate technology may be used instead of intermediate technology

or selective mechanization.

Appropriate technology refers to the level of

mechanization technology and how it is used for arable farming in Nigeria.

Appropriateness can only be determined after carefully considering the technical,
economic and social characteristics of each situation. No generalization can be
made concerning the appropriateness of a particular agricultural tool, implement or
machine for arable farming. From the foregoing, new and improved technologies
to be adopted for arable farming in Nigeria must be appropriate and acceptable
both in terms of the farmers socio-economic environment, resources and technical

14

suitability of the technologies themselves. Therefore technologies for arable farming

in Nigeria can only be said to be appropriate if:
-

The machines are compact, light, low-powered and multi-purpose.

Local

available materials must be incorporated in fabricating the machines to

reduce the manufacturing costs. Manufacturing and designing parts must be
precise.
-

Small-size tractors, mini-power tillers, and small farm equipment must meet the
needs of commercial arable farmers. Operators safety and comfort must also
be considered.

The high cost of fossil fuel in Nigeria emphasizes the need to develop energy
efficient machines by harnessing non conventional sources of energy.

6.0

ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE FARMING IN

NIGERIA.

Nigeria is one of the largest countries in Africa, with a total geographical area of
923,768 square kilometers and an estimated population of 140 million (2006
estimate). Nigeria has a highly diversified agro-ecological condition, which enables
her to produce wide range of arable crops. Hence, agriculture constitutes one of
the important sectors of the economy. The Nigerian agriculture had been at the
subsistence level in the past years, but with the introduction of labour saving
devices, tractors, equipment and tools, commercial agriculture is now being
practiced.

This section discusses some of the socio-economic impact of the

introduction of technologies (machines, processes, and improved crop varieties,

etc) on commercial agriculture in Nigeria, as well as some of the criteria that these
technologies must meet before they are adopted.
6.1

Socio-economic impact of Introducing Technologies to commercial arable

farming in Nigeria.

6.1.1

Food Security:

Food security guarantees all human beings physical and economic access to the
basic foods needed to lead active and healthy lives. It is a dynamic process that is
closely linked to thematic topics of poverty, human capacity, creation of
employment and generation of income in an ever changing spiral that can move
upward and downward. With the introduction of improved technologies to arable
farming in Nigeria, commercial agriculture has been boasted thus, resulting in the
production of varieties of crops with high yield all year round, and to a reasonable
extent securing the availability of food to the Nigerian populace.

15

6.1.2

Growth in the Agricultural Sector:

With the advent of technologies, in agriculture, family farms which previously were at
subsistence level have been encouraged to participate in agricultural trade thereby
increasing their income.

Their participation has resulted in the growth of the

agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy.

6.1.3

Rural Development:

With the application of technologies to agriculture, more agricultural crops and

livestock are produced to service the agro-industries in the country. Most of these
agro-industries are located near the commercial farms which are also located in the
rural areas.

As a result, rural road networks are improved and employment is

generated for the rural dwellers. Other basic infrastructures like water and electricity
are also attracted to the rural villages, thus bringing about rural development.
6.1.4

Value Addition to Agricultural Products:

Before the advent of mechanization technologies for the processing and storage of
agricultural crops, most commercial farmers export their farm produce like cocoa,
rubber, coffee, cassava, fruits and vegetables, etc., to other countries at very low
prices and in raw form.

But with improved processing technologies, available,

commercial farmers can now add value to their produce and process them locally
to generate more income.
6.1.5

Increase in Productivity:

The essence of technology in any business is to increase the productivity per labour
and income. Technology input to commercial agriculture in Nigeria has helped to
sustain business profitability.

However, careful consideration of the choice of

technology input that will ensure the desired profitability must not be neglected.
Technologies like early maturing, high yielding and disease resistant varieties, etc.,
have no doubt impacted positively on the commercial arable farming in Nigeria; so,
also are the, mechanization technologies that have reduced labour, ensured
timeliness of operation and at the same time improve productivity.
6.1.6

Stabilization of Market Prices:

Investments of commercial arable farmers in Nigeria into improved storage

structures for grains, cold storages for livestock, fruits and vegetables, etc., during
periods of surplus harvest has helped to stabilize and guarantee good prices for the
farmers and agro-processing industries. For instance, about 55% of Nigerias roots
and tubers are consumed locally (especially potatoes, cocoyam, yam and
cassava), while the balance of 45% is exported. The only way that prices of the

16

exported products can be guaranteed is through better storage and transport

facilities with corresponding value additions. Oil crops like groundnut, soyabean, oil
palm, etc., are processed into vegetable oil using appropriate mechanization
technologies. As vegetable oil, they can be stored for longer period and sold at a
guaranteed market price at a later date.
6.1.7

Diversification of Investments:

With the introduction of technologies to commercial arable farming in Nigeria, the

commercial farmers have been able to diversity their investment. Most commercial
farms have various investments in fisheries, livestock, agro-processing, machine and
spare parts production, marketing, research and development, etc.

These

diversified investments have yielded more income, generated employment and also
sustained the commercial farming business in Nigeria.
6.2

Criteria for Adoption of Technology for Commercial Arable Farming in Nigeria

According to Ekpere, (1995), the last twenty years have witnessed great investment
in agriculture and agricultural mechanization technologies, as well as in research
and development of new technologies in Nigeria. The research efforts at the
national and international research centres like IITA, Ibadan; NCRI Badegi; IAR&T,
NCAM, NSPRI, ARCEDAM, etc., have resulted in significant yield in many crops, insect
and pests control, livestock and fisheries production, processing and storage
equipment; Yet farmers are sceptical in taking full advantage of these technologies.
Technologies are viable only when they are used by farmers. No matter how well
new technologies work on research stations, if farmers do not use them, their
development would have been in vain (Sandra etal. 1989).

Therefore, for

technologies to be adopted for commercial arable farming in Nigeria, the following

criteria they must met:
6.2.1

Proper Awareness:

There is no doubt that various technologies for increase in production and drudgery
reduction have been developed or imported into the country.

But lack of

awareness of such technologies by the farmers have hindered their adoption.

Therefore, for any new agricultural technology to be adopted by farmers, adequate
awareness of the technology must be ensured.
6.2.2

Relevance of the Technology:

For any technology to be adopted, it must be relevant to the needs and aspiration
of the end user. There would be no need for an early maturing variety of cowpea or
rice if there are no mechanical dryers to dry them as soon as they are harvested.
Also, there would not be any need for a tractor mounted tuber harvester if there are

17

no tractors. As a matter of fact, technologies must be demand-driven not supply

driven before they can be adopted.

Information on the specific needs and

problems of farmers can be obtained in the annual cropping season evaluation

surveys conducted by IAR, NAERLS, PCU and the Agricultural project Monitoring and
Evaluation Unit (APMEU) in collaboration with HDPS or other periodic diagnostic
surveys. Such information is passed on to the Research and development centres or
organization during the annual National Research Extension Farmers input linkage
system (REFILS) planning meetings at NAERLS and at National Conferences,
technical review meetings of ADPS, seminars and workshops.
6.2.3

Affordability of Technology:

For a technology to be adopted by farmers, it must be affordable. Affordability

does not end at initial cost of the technology.

It also includes repairs and

maintenance cost, availability of personnel to operate or manage the technology

and the impact of the technology either to the environment or the immediate user.
6.2.4

Socio-cultural Compatibility of Technology:

One of the reasons why some technologies are not adopted is because they may
not be socially or culturally compatible with the people in the community where
they are to be used. For instance, in a community where most of the available
labour are female, they may not be allowed to operate some machines or
equipment. In such an environment, no mater how effective that technology is, the
adoption will be hindered.
6.2.5

Literacy Level (of end users, Farmers):

Most Farmers in Nigeria are illiterates and so are very conservative. They find it
difficult to let go some of the age long agricultural practices that has been handed
over to them by their fore fathers. Even, when they are willing to learn, they lack the
means through which they can be taught because of their literacy level. However,
with proper extension services using local languages, this problem can be reduced.
7.0

PROMOTING THE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL

COMMERCIAL ARABLE CROP FARMING.

TECHNOLOGIES

FOR

Popularization of agricultural technologies for adoption by our farmers must be

promoted by the Government and other interest groups to enable commercial
farming take firm root in Nigeria. The roles of these groups are as follows:
7.1

Role of Universities and Research Institutes

These institutions as shown in Table 3 specifically go into research in agricultural

technologies for adoption to enhance commercial farming.

18

The universities carry out educational training and research on agricultural

technologies while research institutes such as the National Centre for Agricultural
Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, carry out adaptive and innovative research in design,
fabrication and testing of proven agricultural technologies. The research institutes
conduct programmes on adaptive research for the development of better
agricultural tools, equipment and machines for land clearing, weeding, harvesting,
crop preservation and processing, as well as the development of low cost machine
and equipment appropriate for the effective mechanization of the Nigerias farming
operations which presently are predominantly small-scale. The institutes have deep
and intricate knowledge of the local conditions and the constraints of the farmers.
The future programmes of NCAM, for example, are aimed at linkage and
collaboration on Research and Development between NCAM and other Research
Institutes and are geared towards achieving a better bilateral understanding with
other agencies for an improved mechanization of the nation's agriculture.

New

horizon would be covered through bilateral cooperation with sister research institutes
in Nigeria and some African Countries. Such a bilateral co-operation was to be
entered into with the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for whom some machines and
equipment would be fabricated by NCAM.
Within the mandate of each research institute, different research and development
activities have been carried out. Such activities include:
-

Genetic improvement of crops which has led to increase in yield of crops;

hence, increase in the overall incomes for farmers.

Improved technologies in the processing of crops that have led to good

qualities and high quantities of the various processed products. Hence,
increase in the overall incomes to the processors. It has also led to increase in
job opportunities for the unemployed masses.

Development of machines, equipment and implements for farming systems and

post-harvest technologies by the Research and Development institutions would help
the local fabricators to invest in massive production of the equipment, implements
and machines.
The National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, through its
Research and Development activities has developed a wide array of agricultural
equipment suitable for Nigeria conditions. Prospective investors could take up the
mass production of these equipment for the benefit of the Nigerians farmers and
economic growth of the nation.

19

Table 3: Some Agro-Based Research Institutes that could be involed in Commercial

Farming Development in Nigeria
S/No

Research Institute

Mandate

Ecological Zone
Covered

1.

National Centre
for Agricultural
Mechanization
(NCAM), Idofian,
Ilorin, Kwara State
Cocoa Research
institute of Nigeria
(CRIN), Ibadan

Research into agricultural

mechanization through the
development of sustainable
indigenous mechanization
technologies.
Research into the genetic
improvement and production of
cocoa, cashew, kola, tea and
coffee.

All ecological zones

in Nigeria.

Forestry Research
Institute of Nigeria
(FRIN), Ibadan

Research into forestry, agroforestry, wildlife, and

environmental production and
conservation.

Ecological zones
encompassing
Kano, Sokoto,
Katsina, Kaduna,
Kebbi and Zamfara
states.

2.

3.

Total farming systems for the

ecological zones encompassing
Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna
and Kebbi and Zamfafa States.
4.

Institute for
Agricultural
Research (IAR),
Zaria.

Research into genetic

improvement of sorghum,
groundnut, cowpea, cotton,
sunflower, maize.

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified crops.

Northern and
Western zones of
Nigeria
(N.W. Zone

Total farming systems for the

ecological zones covered by
Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna
Kebbi and Zamfara States.
5

6.

Institute of
Agricultural
Research and
Training (IAR&T),
Ibadan

Research into kenaf, jute and soil

and water management.

Lake Chad
Research Institute
(LCRI), Maiduguri

Research into genetic

improvement of millet, wheat and
barley.

Total farming systems for the

ecological zones encompassing
Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo,
Ekiti, Edo and Delta States.

Total farming systems for the

ecological zones covered by
Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe,
Bauchi and Adamawa States.

20

Lagos, Ogun, Oyo,

Osun, Ondo, Ekiti,
Edo and Delta
States.

Ecologies
encompassing
Borno, Yobe,
Gombe, Jigawa,
Bauchi and
Adamawa states

7.

National
Agricultural
Extension and
Research Liaison
Services (NAERLS),
Zaria.

Co-ordination of all agricultural

extension and specialized support
activities in crops, livestock,
fisheries, forestry, irrigation and
food technology

All ecological zones

of Nigeria.

8.

National Animal
Production
Research Institute
(NAPRI), Zaria.

Research into animal production

and animal products.

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified animals

9.

National Cereals
Research Institute
(NCRI), Badeggi

Research into the genetic

improvement and total farming
systems of rice, soyabean,
benniseed and sugarcane; and
extension services in the middle
belt.

The middle belt

zones.

10.

National Institute
for Freshwater
Fisheries Research
(NIFFR), New
Bussa.

Research into genetic

improvement of fresh water fish
species, other aquatic resources
and their production in Nigeria;
and

Ecological zones
covered by the
fisheries and
aquatic resources.

Research into long term effects of

man-made lakes on ecology and
environment.
11.

National Institute
for Horticultural
Research
(NIHORT), Ibadan

Research into genetic

improvement and production of
fruits and vegetables as well as
ornamental plants.

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified plants.

12.

National Root
Crops Research
Institute (NRCRI),
Umudike.

Research into the genetic

improvement of cassava, yam,
coco-yam, Irish potato and ginger.

Anambra, Enugu,
Cross River, Ebonyi,
Imo, Abia, Rivers
State, Akwa Ibom,
Bayelsa and
Plateau States.

National
Veterinary
Research Institute
(NVRI), Vom, Jos

Research into all aspects of

livestock and animal diseases; their
treatment and control

13.

Total farming systems, research

and extension services in SouthEast zones.

Development and production of

animal vaccines and sera, etc.

21

Ecological zones
covered by the
animals.

14.

Ecological zones
covered by the
ocean and
territorial waters.

Nigerian Institute
for Oceanography
and Marine
Research (NIOMR),
Lagos.

Research into the resource and

physical characteristics of Nigerian
territorial waters and the high sea
beyond; and

15.

Nigerian Institute
for Oil Palm
Research (NIFOR),
Benin City.

Research into the genetic

improvement, production and
processing of oil palm, rafia, date,
coconut and ornamental palms.

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified plants.

16.

Rubber Research
Institute of Nigeria
(RRIN), Benin City.

Research into the genetic

improvement, production and
processing of natural rubber and
other latex producing plants, such
as gum arabic.

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified plants.

17.

Federal Institute for

Industrial Research
(FIIRO), Lagos.

Research into agro-industrial and

food processing technology and
upgrading of indigenous
production and processes; and

Ecological zones
covered by the
plants.

Research into genetic

improvement of marine and
brackish water fish species
oceanography and aquatic
resources, their production and
processing.

Food science and technology,

design and fabrication of
machines.
18.

Nigerian Institute
for
Trypanosomiasis
Research (NITR),
Kaduna.

Research into tsetse and simulium

flies and diagnostic methods on
the control of trypanosomiasis and
onchocerciasis.

Ecological zones
covered by the
animal.

19.

Nigerian Stored
Product Research
Institute (NSPRI),
Ilorin

Research into the improvement of

storage and preservation systems
on major food and industrial crops;
and

Ecological zones
covered by the
plants.

Studies on stored product pests,

pesticides formulation and residue
analysis.
20.

National Research
Institute for
Chemical
Technology
(NARICT), Zaria.

Research into hides, skins, leather,

industrial chemicals, polymers and
plastics.

22

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified plants
and animal.

21.

National Institute
for
Pharmaceutical
Research and
Development
(NIPRD), Abuja.

Research into medicinal

plants/herbs and drugs
development and formulary

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified plants.

22.

National Centre
for Genetic
Resources and
Biotechnology
(NAGRAB),
Ibadan.

Husbanding of plant and animal

genetic resource. Development
resources in genetics.

Ecological zones
covered by the
specified plants
and animal.

Source: Oni (2004).

7.2

The Roles of Banks and Financial Institutions

The Nigerian banking system is geared primarily at larger corporate lending, where
the transaction costs relative to the loans are low and the level of risk, security and
borrower sophistication are good from a lenders point of view. To overcome this
propensity towards the larger scale borrowers, of the commercial and merchant
banks, the government has set up several development banks to assist the
agricultural and industrial sectors of the economy. Aside from launching the Nigerian
Agricultural and Cooperative Bank (NACB) as a financial institution devoted to
agricultural finance in 1973, the government also introduced the Agricultural Credit
Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) in cooperation with the Central Bank in 1978, and
directed banks to allocate their credit portfolio to certain preferred sectors, of which
agriculture featured very prominently. However, ACGSF recorded very limited
success. To ensure the continued relevance of ACGSF in the agricultural
development efforts of government, a number of modifications have been made to
the scheme since the SAP era, and they include the following:
i)

Self-Help Group Linkage Banking Programme

ii)

The Interest Draw Back Programme

iii)

Refinancing Scheme

iv)

Financial Intermediation through NGOs

In addition to the above, the formation of the National Agricultural Cooperative and
Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) from NACB, Peoples Bank and the Family
Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP), the recent consolidation exercise in
the Nigerian banking system leading to the formation of mega-banks has

23

dramatically increased the scope and pool of available capital for commercial
farming development. Essentially, the country now possesses the basic financial
infrastructure required to fully realize its commercial farming potentials (Oni, 2004).
7.3

Role of Private Sector

It has been repeatedly canvassed that, for commercial farming to succeed in

Nigeria, it must be based on domestic engineering initiative, to design, develop and
manufacture locally most of the tools, equipment and machines needed for all the
agricultural production, field operations and post-harvest processes. There is an
overwhelming load of evidence to demonstrate that the establishment of an
effective local agricultural machinery manufacturing industry is a pre-requisite for a
viable agricultural industry anywhere. All the homologous countries of the world
which have achieved significant successes in their agricultural industry, such as India
China, Philippines, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Egypt, etc., started by establishing domestic
manufacture of the needed machinery, based on national developmental a policy
which emphasizes self- reliance as an operative technology ideology (Odigboh,
1997).
The role of the private sector in enhancing new technologies through Research and
Development should not be overlooked.

For this sector to embrace the mass

production of equipment prototypes, various encouragements would have to be

extended to the sector. This could be done through the provision of infrastructures
and credit facilities to create a condusive environment for the establishment of
industries.
On the other hand, the private sectors should also initiate linkages with research
institutes by funding Research and Development activities in research institutions and
higher institutions of learning so as to compliment the efforts of government in this
aspect.
The lack of confidence in the indigenously developed technologies by multinational companies had grossly affected the rate at which they support local
initiatives of research institutions.

The Federal Government of Nigeria should

encourage and/or challenge these companies to contribute by offering them tax

concessions for supporting research and development efforts of the various research
and higher educational institutions in the country.
It is generally agreed that the surest and fastest way of promoting commercial
farming development is through the promotion of private sector participation.
The

following

areas,

according

to

Simalenga

(2000),

clearly

underscore

entrepreneurial opportunities through mechanization that can be explored by the

would-be investors in commercial agriculture:

24

(i)

Manufacture/fabrication of agricultural tools, implements, equipment and

Machines by agriculture-led industries:

(ii)

Fabrication of tillage, cultivation, planting and harvesting tools, implements

and equipment;

(iii)

manufacture or assembly of production agricultural machinery (engine

powered);

(iv) manufacture/fabrication of animal-drawn implements and equipment;

(v)

manufacture/fabrication of spare parts for the above mentioned tools and

equipment;

(vi) manufacture of spraying equipment;

(vii) manufacture of transport equipment;
(viii) manufacture of crop processing equipment (shellers, threshers, oil eexpellers,
etc.); and
(ix)

manufacture of fruits and vegetable processing and packaging equipment

(fruit juice, vegetable purees, etc.).

7.4

The Role of Government (Federal, State, LGs, etc.)

The roles the government plays in promoting the adoption of agricultural

technologies for commercial arable crop farming are many. However, some of the
most vital ones are in the area of land clearing, food processing and storage.
Development of grain silos and other storage systems have enabled the long-term
storage of, particularly, bulk grain produce. Silos (5 - 2500MT capacity) and
warehouses (200 - 5000MT capacity) have been built by government agencies (e.g.
the National Strategic Grain Reserve Unit) for storage of grain products at strategic
locations all over Nigeria as intervention efforts and for research purposes to prevent
food shortages. Warehousing of bagged grains stacked on pallets in well- ventilated
buildings is wildly used in research institutes and at the National Seed Services Centre
(NSSC) in Nigeria (Adewumi et al., 2005).
There is Crop Storage Unit (CSU) which has developed On-farm storage unit most
relevant to each ecological zone. In an effort to reduce human drudgery, minimum
labor cost and enhance overall productivity and efficiency, the government in
putting in place appropriate infrastructure for mechanized agriculture in Nigeria,
established various institutes, centre, parastatal and agencies such as the NCAM at
Ilorin for the development of labor saving devices, machinery testing and machinery
standardization, in collaboration with Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and

25

strengthen the Rural Agricultural Industrial Development Schemes (RAIDS) for the
manufacture of intermediate prototype processing machines with world bank
assistance.
The Cassava Enterprises Development Project (CEDP) goal is to diversify and
strengthen rural economy in selected geopolitical zones in Nigeria using cassava as
the engine of growth. This CEDP is administered by the International Institute of
Tropical Agriculture (IITA). It is targeted at resource poor producers, micro and
small scale processors, most of who are women; as well as fabricators, traders,
agribusiness entrepreneurs and consumers, as secondary beneficiaries.
The cassava initiative (CI) has shown encouraging statistics: production rose to 40 MT
of tuber in 2005. In the same year, gari (processed cassava) was exported to Sierra
Leone and first 40 MT of cassava chips to china (Opara, 2006). With the
mechanization of CI, it is expected that production will reach 150 MT of tubers by
2008.
The Rice Initiative (RI) is being facilitated by the National Cereals Research Institute
(NCRI) in collaboration with the West African Rice Development Association
(WARDA) with the objective of attaining an output of 9 MT of milled rice in 2007.
The Vegetable Oil Initiative (VOI) aims at developing large hectares of oil palm,
groundnuts, cotton seed, soybean, sheanut, castor oil, melon, sunflower, beniseed,
with the attendant mechanization for increased production and increasing the
nations capacity for edible oil production. With the ban on the importation of
vegetable oil, the organized private sector in Nigeria has taken the challenge and
has sustained local consumption.
For the Tree Crops Initiative (TCI) governments objective is the rapid multiplication
and distribution of high yielding, disease resistant and early maturing planting seeds,
seedlings and plantlets to farmers at subsidized rates. These trees are meant to
mitigate the devastating effects of deforestation, improve wood and timber
resources as well as on-timber forest products (NTFP): fruits, leaves, barks, fuel wood,
bush meat and medicinal plants (Spore, 2006).
The various tiers of the Government (Federal, State and Local Governments) can
play an important role in actualizing and maximizing the benefits accruable from
investments in Research and Development.

This can be achieved through the

following:

Provision of enabling economic policy that enables the private sector and
research institutions to contribute maximally.

26

Adequate funding of Research and Development's efforts in research

institution and universities.

Provision of adequate engineering infrastructures like roads, water, electricity

and housing including recreational facilities in the rural areas.

Provision of credit facilities from banks and financial institutions to ease the
economic burden on the investors through loans at low interest rates.

Provision of low or total tax waiver for potential investors to encourage

massive investments in Agro-based Research and Development.

Such other incentives as subsidy on purchase of locally developed agricultural

equipment so as to encourage adoption, and subsidies on other agricultural inputs
such as fertilizers, pesticides and planting materials are most pertinent.
8.0

CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE

FARMING IN NIGERIA.

8.1

Land Use Act

In Nigeria, the land use decree of 1978 (Act 1999), makes no provision for the use of
urban land for crop production. This implies that agriculture is associated with rural
land use alone. Though the Land Use Act vests full title to land in the hands of Local
Government Councils, States and Federal government, the communities still remain
the traditional custodians of land in their domain, thus favoring the subsistent,
fragmented holdings by small-scale producers and entrepreneurs. Any desire to
acquire large contiguous land must take these facts into consideration.
As far as the decree is concerned, urban land development means the construction
of urban structures. The decree also vests all urban lands in the chief executive of
state governments (that is, the governors). This policy statement has encouraged
governors to deprive urban cultivators access to land through compulsory
acquisition of land and ejection, without compensation (except for mature crops),
of urban cultivators from acquired sites. Consequently, areas that were supposed to
serve as green belts have been allocated for urban construction (Olofin, 2003).
The unwritten law that encourages the cultivation of vacant parcels of land that
cannot be allocated for urban construction (such as in areas of aviation installations,
aprons of railway tracks, etc.) has neither been formalized nor gazetted. It was part
of a speech that ushered in Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) in 1976 and reechoed during the launching of Green Revolution in 1980, encouraging Nigerians
to cultivate all available land in the cities and at ones backyard. Thus, cultivators of
such public vacant lands are merely squatters whose tenure are very insecure.
Insecurity of tenure, especially among small-scale farmers has been known to act as

27

a disincentive to the conservation of resources, including reforestation and soil

conservation projects. This is so because farmers are not willing to make necessary
investments for which they may be unable to reap future benefits.
Ownership affects land use, farming systems, institutional structure, ecological
conditions, adoption and use of technology, food production and self-sufficiency,
and overall wellbeing of the rural and urban population. Poverty and resource are
highly correlated with land distribution favouring the rich class. The rich have access
to land which is less prone to degradation or erosion and they have the resources to
invest and improve the land. On the other hand, the poor farmer continues to till a
marginal resource base despite increase in their number.
8.2

Funding

Research is rendered ineffective by erratic and unpredictable fluctuation in funding

(Idachaba, 1980). The uncertainty resulting from such fluctuations is compounded by
the fact that research results cannot be predicted in advance.

All Research

Institutes in Nigeria have had unexpected instability in funding, especially in the last
few years. Many projects cannot be completed because of cuts in support. Related
to this is the arbitrary manner in which funds are allocated among various kinds of
agricultural research.
The issue of subsidy of agricutural inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides also
raise serious concerns to commercial farming. The government allocation of
agricultural inputs to various states usually do not get to the end users, particularly, at
the time they are required. This constitutes great problems as it affects timeliness of
operation, thus, eventually affecting the final crop yield.
8.3

Inadequate infrastructure

Effective commercial arable farming in Nigeria requires the adoption of such

mechanical systems as farm tractors, farm implements and associated equipment,
and improved (high yielding variety) seeds, chemical fertilizers and herbicides, and
better management techniques under a favorable climatic condition for enhanced
productivity. However, nearly all machinery and equipment in use have to be
imported. An identified inadequacy is the tendency to import machinery and
equipment without due consideration to local maintenance and support capability
and equipment appropriateness (NAMA, 1992).
Importations of machinery and equipment have introduced great variability into
Nigerian farming systems without any attempt to rationalize and standardize them.
This makes their continuous application and the stocking of relevant spare parts an
extremely difficult proposition. There is a dire need to ensure that machinery and

28

equipment imported conform to pattern and type of agricultural practice of the

recipient country.
Lack of Infrastructure; Provision of basic infrastructure for the establishment of these
industries is a necessity, but in reality most of the infrastructure is not in place. These
infrastructures include industrial layout, buildings, electricity, roads, water, etc. These
are the pre-requisites for the establishment of these industries. Provision of credit
facilities and other incentives to interested entrepreneurs by the government should
also be encouraged.
8.4

Subsistence nature of the Nigerian agriculture:

Labour force has reduced from 70% to about 60 - 65%. The farming population
continues to decline due to ageing and there is no improvement in the level of
literacy.
The scenario is exacerbated by the continuous migration of young able bodies from
rural settings to the already exploding urban Centres in search of economic
empowerment.
8.5

Lack of appropriate mechanization technologies:

The application of appropriate mechanization technologies must be a matter of

scale, from simple affordable to large-scale complex ones. The vast majority of the
Nigerian farmers still operate on small size holdings, using crude and antiquated
traditional tools and farming methods.
The country is yet to witness an upsurge of medium - to - large scale farming and
agri-business that would consistently employ mechanization technologies (engine
powered tools, production machineries and equipment, processing, packaging and
marketing technologies, etc.) with the resultant effect that incomes from agribusiness remain too low and the enterprises absolutely unattractive.
8.6

Production and Management Constraints:

Because of low level of literacy and lack of proper understanding of application of

agro-technology equipment, farm inputs and modern farming concepts, Nigerian
farmers are at a disadvantage in the processes of land cultivation, crop planting
and management of farm operations.
The employment of modern farming techniques, inputs and machinery and
equipment for large-scale farming would have a multiplier effect on agricultural
productivity.

29

Quite often, farm productivity is low not because of limited supply of machinery and
equipment, or the capacity to produce, but largely because of inability of farm
manager to harness human and material resources to bring about enhanced
agricultural productivity (Oni, 1996). In essence, farm managers must assume better
management strategies for their machinery and equipment systems if they are to
make profit.
9. THE WAY FORWARD
In order to guarantee the adoption of appropriate technology for commercial
arable crop farming in Nigeria, attention must be focused on the following action
areas:
(a)

Investing in Irrigation
It is important to note that commercial agriculture in Nigeria can neither
flourish nor be sustained on rainfed farming alone. This is because most viable
arable lands in Nigeria are found in places that experience low rainfall.
Therefore, investing in irrigation and irrigation infrastructure provides high
prospects for intensive commercial farming development in Nigeria.

(b)

Resource Recovery
The design, construction, manufacture and maintenance of the technology
for commercial arable crop farming must involve deliberate policies to ensure
re-use of raw materials. In Nigeria wood, plastic and steel (scrap) industries
need special attention.

(c)

Research and Development

Sustainable development of commercial arable crop farming can only
materialize in a developing nation when there is adequate research and
development in sustainable technologies. Such effort should not be limited to
the technology development alone, but should include the political will to
adopt and use the technology, social values, economic and commercial
considerations, and public perceptions of using the technology.

(d)

Provisions of Infrastructure
The lack of infrastructural facilities for the development of small-medium-scale
industries which provide way of developing indigenous technology is one of
the factors militating against the indigenization of technology. The provision
of these infrastructures will give an assurance for the development of
indigenous technology suited for commercial farming in Nigeria.

30

9.5

The role of Government

The Government has a vital role to play in the provision of funds for research
and development into indigenous technologies for commercial farming
through the following:

Restriction on the importation of machineries and other engineering

equipment in order to promote the development of indigenous technologies
for commercial farming in Nigeria.

Provision of policy that would enable the private sector, multinationals, and
others to contribute to research and development through a special taxation
process.

Provision of low or complete tax holidays for potential investors or

entrepreneurs in commercial farming in Nigeria.

9.6

Private sector participation

The lack of fund to back the activities of the research institutes has been one of the
greatest impediments to the development of indigenous technology for commercial
farming in Nigeria. The private sector needs to be enlightened on the importance of
their contributions to the growth of indigenous technology. The support given to
research and development by this sector will go a long way in the development
and adoption of the technologies for commercial farming in Nigeria.
9.7

Promotion of mutual relationship between researchers and end users of the

technology

Research and development can not be done in isolation.

Research and

development should be tied to demand by the users which will help the researchers
to be focused. There should also be good extension services or marketing strategies
as the case may be to convince the end users to adopt the new technology. Thus,
there should be a two-way flow of information between the researcher/developer
and the end users of the technology.
9.8

Training

Research staff of the various research institutions lack the necessary training and
exposure due to dwindling fund for training by the institutions.

So also are the

extension agents and the end users of the developed technologies. Efforts should
be made to conduct training and re-training of these interest groups to enhance the
adoption and efficient use of the developed technologies for commercial farming in
Nigeria

31

10

CONCLUSION

Adoption of appropriate technology for commercial farming in Nigeria will no doubt

lubricate the wheels of economic activities of the country. This is because
technology constitutes the engine for economic growth. It is absolutely necessary if
the economy of Nigeria is to be revitalized. It must be emphasized that without
appropriate knowledge, engineers and technologists can do very little.

Hence,

considerable attention has to be paid to the training of engineers, technologists

extension agents, end users and allied personnel involved in every aspect of
commercial farming in Nigeria.
The roles of the government, financial institutions, the research institutes, the private
sector and other interest groups must be carefully and effectively carried out if the
dream of developing sustainable commercial arable farming in Nigeria is to be
realized.
The crucial challenges facing commercial farming in Nigeria are the understanding
and learning from the past, becoming informed of a fast changing Nigerian society,
improving the ways of conducting research and environmental studies as well as
designing, constructing and manufacturing technologies as closed-loop and
integrated ecosystems to the extent possible.
However, technology must lead the way to better resources management,
innovative industrial processes, modified transportation system, infrastructure, better
environmental management and restoration, and in commercial farming enterprise
development.
To break the cycle of poverty in Nigeria, the right attitudes to work must be
developed and sustained.

Adoption of appropriate technology offers the

developing nations the means to achieve these aims so as to build an efficient and
prosperous economy. However, to achieve these, technology must be indigenous
or home-grown and integrated into the national life and continuously promoted and
upgraded to ensure sustainability.

32

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