AN EVALUATION OF POST-INDEPENDENCE AGRICULTURAL POLICIES IN RELATION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA(1960 - 1987}

Abstract

AGRICULTURE IN ITS COMMON PARLENCE INCLUDES PRODUCTION, RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN THE FIELDS OF CROPS, FORESTRY, FISHING AND LIVESTOCK. NIGERIAN AGRICULTURE WAS CHARACTERIZED BY LOW FARM INCOMES; LOW CAPACITY LEVEL TO SATISFY FOOD AND FIBRE NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY, AND PRIMITIVE TECHNIQUES OF PRODUCTION. YET, THERE WAS LITTLE CONSENSUS WITH RESPECT TO THE MOST APPROPRIATE STRATEGY FOR SECURING INCREASED FARM OUTPUT AND PRODUCTIVITY IN AN UNDERDEVELOPED AGRICULTURE. THIS PAPER THEREFORE ARGUED THAT CAREFUL PLANNING,SCIENTIFIC FORECASTING AND IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM ARE FACTORS WHICH WILL YIELD THE NATION MORE DIVIDEND THAN MERE STATEMENTS, PROMISES AND STRATEGIES.AGRICULTURE, ECONOMY, NIGERIA, GREEN REVOLUTION PROGRAMME, OPERATION FEED THE NATION, CREDIT, FINANCE, POLICIES, DEVELOPMENT, POST- INDEPENDENCE