List of Agricultural Policies in Nigeria

The agricultural sector is of great importance to Nigeria as it benefits the farmer, society, and nation at large. Food production for an ever-increasing population, source of employment, provision of income to farmers, foreign exchange contributors, and the provision of raw materials for industries are some benefits of agriculture. However, some challenges impede the level of contribution of the agricultural sector to the economy. So, agricultural policies are created to close the gaps and promote the growth of the agricultural sector.

This is a list of Agricultural Policies in Nigeria:

• Agricultural Extension, Technology Development and Transfer Policy

The purpose for which this policy was established includes, circulation of useful and pragmatic information on agriculture aimed at improving the welfare of farmers upon application of such disseminated information. The various State Governments ensure that extension services channels aid in technology transfer, by the provision of sufficient training infrastructure and facilities. Other techniques employed to achieve the set objective of this policy are; the stimulus of private sector investment in agricultural information dissemination and the establishment of effective channels of communication among researchers, extensions officers, and farmers.

• Agricultural Credit Policy

The lack of availability of funds to farmers, especially those of the rural extraction is identified to be a major cause for concern towards the advancement of agriculture in Nigeria. The Agricultural Credit policy was established as a reaction to the situation as its main objective centers on putting together adequate investment funds easily accessible to farmers at rates to induce growth in the agricultural subsector. This is achieved by the implementation of strategies that include, a 10% increase in loans and advance allocations to agriculture, modification of interest rates to allow the Nigerian Agricultural and Cooperative Bank (NACB) access funds from sources other than the Central Bank, and monitoring of the system to ensure adherence to guidelines. The substitution of Certificate of Occupancy with Customary Occupancy Rights as the collateral requirement for government funds facilitates the procurement of agricultural loans by small-scale farmers.

• Agricultural Product Marketing Policy

This policy is aimed at encouraging exports of agricultural products and the efficient distribution of seasonal agricultural produce all through the year at affordable prices. To achieve this goal, the government deliver incentives to agricultural exporters, an inspection of products to be exported by State and Federal Produce Inspection Service guarantee Ideal standard, provision of infrastructures such as road, markets, and storage facilities to foster the development of agriculture, among other strategies in this regard.

• Agricultural Research Policy

The objectives that the Agricultural Research Policy seek to achieve include; development of improved seedlings, seeds, and fingerlings capable of high yield, development of better efficient ways for farmers to engage in farming activities like planting, harvesting, processing, and storage of farm produce,  and the optimal utilization of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other farm inputs to mitigate against the adverse effect on man and the environment.

• Agricultural Mechanization Policy

The chief objective of the Agricultural Mechanization Policy is directed towards the reduction of the toil of human labour in the agriculture business by replacing drudgery with mechanical power. The use of mechanized equipment considerably reduces the total cost of agricultural production as wages of human labour account for a substantial portion of the total cost of production.

• Agricultural Commodity Storage Policy

The objectives Agricultural Commodity Storage Policy include assurance of food security for the nation by the employment of storage programmes that ensure year-round food supply. Another important purpose of this policy is the enhancement of both inter-seasonal and inter-year price stability.

• Land Resources Policy

This policy focuses on the restoration of areas that have suffered natural situations such as erosion, drought, flood, to prevent spread to unaffected areas by the employment of effective protection measures.

• Pest Control Policy

The objectives of the Pest Control Policy include the protection of Nigerians and animals from vectors of deadly diseases and the control and monitoring of economic pests of potentially damaging impacts to agricultural productions. The strategies employed revolve around these aforementioned objectives.

• Water Resources Development Policy

This agricultural policy was established for the following purposes, above all, development of underwater and surface water resources, the building and care of dams, the control of pollution water bodies, and erosion.

• Agricultural Commodity Processing

The aim that this policy set out to achieve includes the preservation of perishable agricultural produce which invariably reduces waste and price fluctuations that occur as a result of the seasonality of agricultural produce. With small-scale commodity processing industries set up in rural areas, there is a diversification of employment opportunities.

• Agricultural Manpower Development and Training Policy

The objective of this policy is to train extension workers in various aspects of agriculture, ranging from vocational to professional level to cater to Nigerian farmers. The Agricultural Manpower Development and Training Policy is responsible for regulating the training of extension workers and even the provision of funds for further training in acquiring agriculture-related enlightenment and knowledge pertinent to farmers’ education.

• Agricultural Investment and Management Advisory Services Policy

This policy is set out to promote private sector investment in agriculture and the creation of an environment conducive for these investors to thrive in. The policy is charged with the coordination of management services to cater to commercial farming groups such as medium and small-scale farmers.

• Agricultural Insurance Policy

This policy was set up to ensure Nigerian farmers are protected against unplanned incidences of natural disasters that usually come along with attendant negative consequences. Through mechanisms put in place by the Government of the Federation, the Agricultural Insurance Policy is beneficial to farmers in Nigeria in these ways; establishment of agricultural insurance schemes to cover loan beneficiaries set up by the Government of the Federation with the support of the various States Governments and organized private sector in creating funds and policy implementation and the mobilization of funds for investment to farmers by Insurance companies to spur agricultural production.

• Agricultural Cooperatives Policy
• Agricultural Statistics and Data Bank Policy
• National Fisheries Policy
• Agricultural By-Product Policy
• Forest Products and Wildlife Policy
• Industrial Crop Production Policy
• Rural Infrastructure Policy