Seeing Agriculture in Nigeria as a Business

Writing in Political Matter, Synergos’ Victoria Fajemilehin explores the need for and promise of a more business-oriented approach to agriculture in Nigeria:

“Agriculture, as part of the cornerstone of Nigeria’s national development, has the ability to transform millions of lives. By establishing an internally self-sustaining mode of production and consumption, agriculture has the potential to create better livelihoods not only for farmers but for Nigeria as a whole...

For agricultural initiatives to be successful in Nigeria, there must be increased and consistent application of best farming practices, and a shift from subsistence farming to demand-driven production. It is also crucial that fresh talent be introduced and welcomed across the length and breadth of the country’s agriculture system...

Nigeria’s agriculture policy must also find ways to engage young people not currently working in agriculture, but who can be enticed if they are exposed to the business opportunities presented by the sector.”