Self-Induced Struggles
Imagine a luxuriant landscape, with sprawling forests and fertile soil. You would imagine that in places
like this, food would be overflowing, with massive, strong trees and bushes bearing ripe fruits and
vegetables. In reality, this landscape is comparable to that of Nigeria’s. However, Nigeria is currently
facing a food and farming crisis. It is important for the country to solve this issue, in order to prevent
its citizens from starving.
like this, food would be overflowing, with massive, strong trees and bushes bearing ripe fruits and
vegetables. In reality, this landscape is comparable to that of Nigeria’s. However, Nigeria is currently
facing a food and farming crisis. It is important for the country to solve this issue, in order to prevent
its citizens from starving.
Decades ago, Nigeria was flourishing and producing plenty of food. However, that all changed after
the oil boom in the 1970s. Once oil was found, the government turned their backs to the farming
industry to pursue the profits in oil, leaving the industry decades behind. This event from over 50
years ago is the root cause of Nigeria's current struggles (Agriculture).
the oil boom in the 1970s. Once oil was found, the government turned their backs to the farming
industry to pursue the profits in oil, leaving the industry decades behind. This event from over 50
years ago is the root cause of Nigeria's current struggles (Agriculture).
Nigeria has been facing food shortages and farming issues for many years. However, their situation
still has hope to change. Many aspects of the country show strong promise that these issues can be
fixed in the future, and the country can flourish. This can be accomplished through more modern
farming equipment and new storage facilities.
still has hope to change. Many aspects of the country show strong promise that these issues can be
fixed in the future, and the country can flourish. This can be accomplished through more modern
farming equipment and new storage facilities.
In modern day, many of these past issues are still pervasive in modern Nigeria. Most Nigerian farmers
are currently using outdated farming technology that reminds one of what farming looked like 100
years ago. Most of Nigeria’s farming is classified as subsistence farming, which is where an entire
farm is usually run by a few people or a family. The farmers first prioritize the food for themselves
and sell the remainder of their harvest for profit. In more developed countries such as the US, most
farms are large commercial farms with hundreds of workers, making them have more resources and
more efficiency. However, about 90% of Nigerian farming is subsistence (Michigan). Therefore, it
is very hard for small family farms to have enough money to be able to afford new technology that
would make their farms more profitable. To show the extent of this technology crisis, Commodity
Port—a company that monitors global supply chains—conducted a survey of Nigerian farming
techniques. This survey revealed that a mere 1% of farming was done with mechanical support, while
10% was done with animals, and 89% with only human labor (Commodity). Additionally, Nigeria is
currently not a very secure country, with constant terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government,
and more. This volatility in security affects volatility in machine pricing. The Money Mix is a company
aimed at connecting small scale businesses around the world together for the benefit of all. One of their
recent studies shows,”The average cost of tools and machines such as cutlass, hoe, tractors and
combine harvesters have been increasing for many years. These unstable prices are caused by the
unstable macroeconomic policies which then lead to inflationary pressures and a high-interest rate and
then lead to a volatile exchange rate.” Therefore, farmers are additionally set farther back due to
national unrest, meaning higher equipment prices” (Money). Here, it is clear to see that Nigeria as a
country also plays a big role in the purchasing power of local farmers.
are currently using outdated farming technology that reminds one of what farming looked like 100
years ago. Most of Nigeria’s farming is classified as subsistence farming, which is where an entire
farm is usually run by a few people or a family. The farmers first prioritize the food for themselves
and sell the remainder of their harvest for profit. In more developed countries such as the US, most
farms are large commercial farms with hundreds of workers, making them have more resources and
more efficiency. However, about 90% of Nigerian farming is subsistence (Michigan). Therefore, it
is very hard for small family farms to have enough money to be able to afford new technology that
would make their farms more profitable. To show the extent of this technology crisis, Commodity
Port—a company that monitors global supply chains—conducted a survey of Nigerian farming
techniques. This survey revealed that a mere 1% of farming was done with mechanical support, while
10% was done with animals, and 89% with only human labor (Commodity). Additionally, Nigeria is
currently not a very secure country, with constant terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government,
and more. This volatility in security affects volatility in machine pricing. The Money Mix is a company
aimed at connecting small scale businesses around the world together for the benefit of all. One of their
recent studies shows,”The average cost of tools and machines such as cutlass, hoe, tractors and
combine harvesters have been increasing for many years. These unstable prices are caused by the
unstable macroeconomic policies which then lead to inflationary pressures and a high-interest rate and
then lead to a volatile exchange rate.” Therefore, farmers are additionally set farther back due to
national unrest, meaning higher equipment prices” (Money). Here, it is clear to see that Nigeria as a
country also plays a big role in the purchasing power of local farmers.
Lack of sufficient storage facilities has also recently led to many farmers’ demise. The majority of the
time, a farmer does not sell all of their harvest right away. This means there needs to be a storage
facility to keep their harvest healthy in order to sell their crops over a period of time. The issue
Nigerian farmers face today is a lack of these storage facilities. Nigerian farmers currently lose
20-40% of their harvest due to lack of storage (Money). Therefore, by investing in new storage,
this would benefit farmers in the long run. Without enough money, farmers can’t buy as many tools,
meaning they produce fewer crops. These fewer crops are sold for less money, putting these farmers in
a vicious cycle of poverty. Additionally, this problem is further worsened by government interest.
Similar to outdated technology, the Nigerian government is too invested in oil to step back and give
assistance to the farming sector. Combined with price volatility issues, it is almost impossible for a
single-family farm to do much of a difference.
time, a farmer does not sell all of their harvest right away. This means there needs to be a storage
facility to keep their harvest healthy in order to sell their crops over a period of time. The issue
Nigerian farmers face today is a lack of these storage facilities. Nigerian farmers currently lose
20-40% of their harvest due to lack of storage (Money). Therefore, by investing in new storage,
this would benefit farmers in the long run. Without enough money, farmers can’t buy as many tools,
meaning they produce fewer crops. These fewer crops are sold for less money, putting these farmers in
a vicious cycle of poverty. Additionally, this problem is further worsened by government interest.
Similar to outdated technology, the Nigerian government is too invested in oil to step back and give
assistance to the farming sector. Combined with price volatility issues, it is almost impossible for a
single-family farm to do much of a difference.
Currently, many Nigerians suffer from food shortages due to the farming system being in disarray.
Many activists protest against the Nigerian government, asking for them to open their eyes to the issue.
Efforts like these are what keeps hope alive. However, the government has almost all of the power in
this situation. Until there is a change in mentality, the vicious cycle of poverty will see no end.
Many activists protest against the Nigerian government, asking for them to open their eyes to the issue.
Efforts like these are what keeps hope alive. However, the government has almost all of the power in
this situation. Until there is a change in mentality, the vicious cycle of poverty will see no end.
Works Cited
Agric, Sence. “History of Agriculture in Nigeria: Agriculture Nigeria.” History of Agriculture in Nigeria | Agriculture Nigeria, 1 Feb. 2020, www.agriculturenigeria.com/research/history-of-agriculture-in-nigeria/.
“Five Major Problems Facing Agriculture in Nigeria.” Commodity Port, Commodity Port, 28 Jan. 2019, www.commodity-port.com/five-major-problems-facing-agriculture-in-nigeria/.
Laurenz, Sarah. “Farming Challenges In Nigeria.” World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute, MSU, 18 Oct. 2019, www.canr.msu.edu/news/farming-challenges-in-nigeria.
“The Challenges And Problems of Agriculture In Nigeria.” The Money Mix, The Money Mix, 20 Nov. 2019, themoneymix.com/problems-agriculture/.
W, Africa. “The African Farmer: Problems Facing Agriculture.” AFRICA W, www.africaw.com/the-african-farmer-problems-facing-agriculture.
Your writings is a bit unformatted as a blog and you should fix that. I liked how you introduced your topic about the food crisis in Nigeria by embracing the reading into an imagination and then talking more in depth. How can I, a reader, help prevent famine to grow bigger in Nigeria?
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