Title:
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE MARKET FOCUS OF THE AGRICULTURAL PROMOTION POLICY ON FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA, 2016- 2021

Authors:
Okorie Albert, Ph.D ,Louiemarie Adaeze Ifem and Hillary Obike ,Nigeria

Abstract:
Agriculture is a critical sector of every state's economy with high potentials for employment generation, food security and poverty alleviation. Nigeria's landmass is about 923,763 square kilometer, out of which 37.33 percent is arable and has favourable weather for farming. This presents a clear potential for self-sufficiency in food production and export. However, in reality, Nigeria faces huge food security challenges that exacerbate hunger and poverty. This study investigated the implications of the market focus of the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) on food security in Nigeria. The study which was anchored on the Rentier State Theory argues that the Nigerian State is not food secured because government's continuous dependence on oil is highly disincentive to the agricultural sector. Documentary method of data collection and the qualitative descriptive method of data analysis were employed for the investigation. The study reveals that market focus of the APP hindered food accessibility in Nigeria. Furthermore that the APP was basically keen at ensuring Nigeria’s place in the export market rather than making domestic consumption a priority; hence led to poor availability of locally produced foods. In addition the policy which focused on value chain rather than production accounted for the increase in prices of food commodities. Hence the study recommends among others a demonstrable political will for diversification, incentivization of agricultural technology and evolution of robust micro-credit framework for farmers.