Nigerian agricultural development strategy and policy: A theoretical evaluation and policy implications

Most Nigerians are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood but governmental policies for development of the economy have neglected agriculture. Governmental policies with respect to agriculture since independence in 1960 have swung widely with the rise and fall of income from petroleum and the consequent shift in the importance of agricultural exports for foreign exchange. The civil war that ended in 1970 also had a serious impact.;Four theories of agricultural development are examined with respect to the Nigerian situation and the policies followed by the federal government. Traditional agriculture as viewed by Schultz explains part of the pattern of government policies. The classical and neoclassical models described by Jorgenson and the parallel dual economy model dealt with by Ruttan bear little resemblance to the Nigerian situation. The integrated approach put forth by Hagan and Lele were the most useful in understanding the development of Nigerian agriculture.;Successful agricultural development will require an atmosphere of trust of governmental officials, increased identification with national goals by farmers, emphasis on the well-being of farmers, increasing investment in the infrastructure, and sectoral goals that can be combined into a national food plan. The integrated approach suggested by Hagan and Lele has the greatest promise of the various theories that might be used to guide development.