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Abstract

Poverty has persisted in most African countries due largely to poor agricultural performance. In Nigeria, efforts to improve the agricultural sector have been unsuccessful. About 45% of the population lives below the poverty line. This study was carried out in northern Nigeria to reassess farmer circumstances and suggest new agricultural development strategies. Results show that low input use, high land-use intensity, diseases/pests/weeds, drought and poor institutional development have resulted in low and declining crop/livestock productivity. Agricultural transformations have taken place and farmers have devised both appropriate and damaging coping strategies. The study concludes with recommendations for sustainable agricultural development.

Keywords

agricultural performance resource pressures long-term changes coping strategies development pathway Nigeria

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Agriculture in the Savannas of Northern Nigeria

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