Transforming Food system in Nigeria: From Smallholder Struggles to Commercial Success
Episode 1: The Reality of Smallholder Farming in Nigeria
Smallholder farmers are the lifeblood of Nigeria's agricultural sector, but can they sustain the nation's growing needs? Typically managing land areas less than a hectare to a few hectares, these farmers rely heavily on family labor, limited technology, and meager market access. Their focus is often on subsistence farming, with any surplus sold in local markets.
In Europe, smallholder farms—those with less than 5 hectares—comprise about 65% of all farms but only account for 6% of the utilized agricultural area (UAA) and 3% of the total agricultural output. In contrast, Africa is dominated by smallholder farmers, who make up about 80% of the farming population. For instance, Southern African countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia have approximately 1.5 million smallholder farmers each, while Mozambique has around 3.2 million, and South Africa has about 2.5 million.
In West Africa, smallholder farms represent 80-90% of all farms, crucial for food production and food security. In Nigeria, these farmers contribute significantly to food security:
However, this reliance on smallholder farmers highlights inefficiencies and challenges in the system. Limited access to markets, technology, and finance stifles their productivity. Despite their significant contributions, smallholder farmers alone cannot drive Nigeria's agricultural sector towards self-sufficiency and economic growth. In fact, small holder farmers are not the future of Nigeria food system.
Niyi Ogungbade
Timesellers limited
www.timesellers.com.ng