After critical examination and cross examination, I discovered that world agriculture can be categorized into two distinct categories (a) the highly efficient agriculture of the developed countries; where substantial productive capacity and high output per workers permit a very small number of farmers to feed entire nations; and (b) the inefficient and low productivity agriculture of developing countries where in many instances the agricultural sector can barely sustain the farm population let alone, the burgeoning urban population, even at a minimum level of subsistence leading to large scale importations of food and widespread poverty.
We obviously know where we belong and we are likely to remain there until we develop an agricultural production structure that provides more food to the rapidly expanding population; increasing the demand for industrial products and thus necessitating the expansion of the secondary and tertiary sector; providing additional foreign exchange earnings for the import of capital goods for development through increased agricultural exports, increasing rural incomes to be mobilized by the state; providing productive employment and improving the welfare of the rural people.
We don’t need a soothsayer to show us that self-sustained rural community development is vital to the economic and social progress of any developing nation like Nigeria, and that unless the ways and means of massively accelerating development in the rural areas where over 80% of Nigeria’s population reside, our national goal of self-sufficiency and control over resources may continue to elude us.
As a matter of urgency, there is a need for a rapid increase in food production. The ideal situation for economic growth should be one which there should be a constant increase in farm output and the increase in farm output should be at higher rate than the increase of food demand. In a situation where the increased production of agricultural commodities lags behind growth in demand, there will be a substantial rise in food prices. To offset domestic shortage and prevent rise in prices, food may be imported from abroad but it can be at the cost of capital goods needed for development. The state may also introduce price controls, rationing and compulsory food collection. All these emphasize the importance of increase in food production.
If I want to explain this write up to a little boy I’ll say; there’s a need for increased food production and this can be achieved via increased participation. You should be a participant. That idea might just be the only start up resource that you need. Let’s hear it. Contact us today at Scott farms *mails@scottfarms.com.ng, 08176770555