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National Development Strategies and Challenges of Peasants Agriculture in Nigeria

Onuoha, Peter Chuks, Okore, Michael Okiemute

Abstract

The main concern of this paper is to examine the various development policies or strategies of the government and its effects on the growth of peasant agriculture on one hand and the challenges hindering the advancement of peasant agriculture in Nigeria. This paper is of the view that there have been bitter experiences of the peasants of this nation over the failure of the country to better their lots by enhancing agricultural production despite various articulated developmental/agricultural policies and projects initiated by each succeeding administration. Why has these developmental policies/strategies not engendered or ensured sustainable peasants’ agricultural development and food security in Nigerian economy? This is also the concern of this work. There is not enough literature in this area. Data were collected through secondary sources. The institutional theory of analysis propounded by Emily Durkheim and Douglas North was adopted as theoretical framework. The paper reveals poor implementation of developmental/agricultural policies and programme designs as the bane of the growth and development of the peasants’ agriculture in Nigerian economy. It also identifies efforts of government towards increasing agricultural productivity through the establishment of agricultural programmes and projects from the early 70s to date. It recommends careful planning and scientific forecasting and institutionalization of improved implementation mechanisms and the inclusion of the peasant farmers in the formulations of agricultural policies as the main factors that would bring about the desired growth, improvement, transformation as well as development both in agricultural sector and over-all development of the economy. This study will be beneficial to the government and her relevant agencies, students, agriculturalists, interventionist agencies and scholars.

Keywords

Peasants Agricultural policies Development State Economy.

References

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