ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE CROPS

FARMING IN NIGERIA*

By:

Engr. (Prof.) K. C. ONI (FNIAE, FNSE) Executive Director/CEO, NCAM, ILORIN

1.0 INTRODUCTION

One of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals is to reduce hunger and poverty by half, by the year 2015, and the national food security programme of the present administration is aimed at achieving this objective. Agriculture has been identified as a strategic sector that would address the multiple challenges of achieving a broad based objective of economic growth, creating wealth and employment, reducing poverty, and attaining national food security as well as putting Nigeria among the 20 world leading economies by the year 2020. To this end, the federal government plans to promote large scale commercial farming of between 500 and 3000 hectares farm sizes while targeting a total of between 6 and 10 million hectares over a four year period.

This workshop, it is hoped, will provide important guidelines and leeway for commercial arable farming in Nigeria.

2.0 TRANSITION FROM SUBSISTENCE TO COMMERCIAL FARMING

2.1 Subsistence Farming

Subsistence farming is self sufficient farming in which farmers grow only enough food to feed their family. The typical subsistence farm has a range of crops and animals needed by the family to eat during the year. Planting decisions are made with an eye towards what the family will need during the coming year, rather than on market prices. Waters (2006) highlighted that, "Subsistence peasants are people who grow what they eat, build their own houses, and live without regularly making purchases in the marketplace." It was the dominant mode of production in the world until recently when market-based capitalism became widespread.

* An Invited Paper Presented at the Workshop on Commercial Farming of Arable Crops in Nigeria Organised by the Nigerian Agricultural, Co-operative and Rural Development Bank Ltd, held at Kwara Hotel, Ilorin, 16th 18th June, 2009.

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In the absence of technology, the area of land that a farmer can cultivate each season is limited by such factors as available tools and the quality of the soil. Tools used by subsistence farmers are often primitive. Most farmers do not have access to large domesticated work animals, and therefore clear, toil, and harvest their goods using hoes and cutlasses.

Land clearing in which farmers clear plots of farmland by cutting down all brush, allowing the debris to dry, and later burning the fallen refuse are done using cutlasses and axes in some cases, while ridging, planting and harvesting of crops are done with hoes and cutlasses.

The use of simple farm tools for agricultural production does not only bring-about serious human drudgery with little achievements but discourage timeliness and perfection.

In countries which are sparsely populated, subsistence farming could be sustainable for a long time. However, in more densely populated countries like Nigeria with over one hundred and forty million people, subsistence farming may not only give room for the importation of more food items to meet the food requirements of the growing population and urbanization, but deplete the soil of nutrients, and damage the environment. This is because the use of new technology on cultural practice is not encouraged in subsistence farming.

Subsistence farming in Nigeria typically uses few fertilizers and no machines. Instead the farmers may use draft animals, especially in northern Nigeria, which can be fed and raised on the farm. Subsistence farmers often rely on crop rotation, animal manure, and compost to restore the nutrients rather than purchasing expensive synthetic fertilizers. This agriculture can limit the amount of growth in a season.

One form of subsistence farming is shifting cultivation, a practice common with rain fed agricultural systems. Farmers typically abandon a given plot when soil fertility wanes and move on to more fertile land, often utilizing slash and burn techniques, exposing the former plot to environmental hazards like desertification, while the techniques used on the new plot destroys the active micro-organisms in the soil. A considerable fallow period ensues on the abandoned land. It takes up the least amount of land among the four types of cultivation, but it only provides enough food for the local population.

2.2 Rainfed and Irrigated Farming in Nigeria

Nigeria has a total land mass of about 923 768 km2 and a survey by JICA in the 1980s shows that 39% of the Nigerian land mass is potentially suitable for agriculture, that is, 360.26952 km2. Out of this, between 4.0 and 4.5 million ha (approximately 4.5 to 5.0%of the land) are adjudged suitable for irrigated agriculture but only 1.1 million ha

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can be supported fully by the water available, the remaining 3.4 million ha being fadama. (NINCID, 1999).

In 1987, FAO prepared a working document on the "Need and Justification of Irrigation Development" which undertook a scientific assessment of the size of populations that the agricultural land resources of African countries can support. The report assumed a projected population for Nigeria in year 2025 of 238 million, 47.90 million hectares of potential rainfed land and 2.00 million and 3.73 million hectares potential shorter and longer transport irrigable land. The shorter transport irrigable lands were defined as land close to the source of the irrigation water i.e. transport distances were limited to those within one agro-ecological zone. On the other hand, longer transport referred to land further away from source: irrigation water may be transported from one agro-ecological zone to another. The potentials were calculated for three alternate levels of inputs namely, low level of inputs, intermediate level of input and high level of input.

The water resources development for agricultural purposes was in the hands of the private sector for the production of sugar cane with only a minor role by states in the northern region of Nigeria. Irrigation practice was rudimentary, using residual flood waters and moisture in the low lands called fadama (flash flood plains), and supplemented with shaduf (a traditional device that lifts water onto the land). The main crops produced using these traditional methods of irrigation were vegetables and rice.

Areas under irrigation include areas equipped with full or partial water control, spate irrigation, equipped wetlands and inland valley bottoms (including fadamas), irrespective of their size or management type. From a survey undertaken by FMWR in 1995, it appears that irrigated areas in Nigeria amounts to some 974,900 hectares. Though, the exact amount of land under irrigation is difficult to estimate, because there is no clear commonly agreed definition of irrigation that is adopted by all. However, based on past trends and on the present agricultural policy of Nigeria, a tentative scenario depicts irrigation between years 2000 and 2025. The scenario does not foresee a significant increase of irrigated area between now and year 2025. According to projection, land under irrigation has increased at less than 1% per annum in the last decade. It is not foreseen that the situation would change significantly because of many reasons. The harvested irrigated areas would increase from the estimated current figure of (974,500*1.2) = 1 169 400 hectares in 2009 to about (1,567,422 * 1.5) = 2,351,133 hectares in 2025 (NINCID, 1999).

The initial case for development of irrigation in Nigeria was based in part, with the need to sustain a growth in the food supply that would broadly lead to national food security. It is on record that between 1976 and 1990, Nigerian government has invested over US $ 2000 million of public funds on the development of large to

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medium scale public irrigation projects. Irrigated agriculture has since then witnessed a spectacular growth, rising from slightly more than 25,000 ha of irrigated farmland in 1975 to the current 974,900 ha. Amongst these, is the establishment of three pilot public irrigation schemes, all in the sub-arid and dry sub-humid agro-ecological zones, namely: Bakolori Scheme, the Kano River Irrigation Scheme and the Chad Basin Scheme in the early 1970s, which was as a result of FAO and US Bureau of Reclamation studies. The success of these pilot schemes coupled with the five-year drought (1970-1975) later led to the establishment of 11 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) across the nation (NINCID, 1999).

So many other irrigation schemes have been established under these River Basin Development Authorities since inception, with the aim of providing food for all through food security projects.

2.3 Commercial Farming

Commercial farming can be defined as the production of crops for sale, crops intended for widespread distribution to wholesalers or retail outlets (e.g. supermarkets), and any non-food crops such as cotton and tobacco, and food crops. Commercial farming includes livestock production and livestock grazing. However, commercial farming does not include crops grown for household consumption (e.g. backyard garden or from a vegetable garden or a few fruit trees.)

Commercial farming can further be said to be a progression from diversified farming, where the farmer's intention is to produce goods for sale primarily for widespread consumption by others. The farmer may acquire a sufficiently large amount of arable land and/or sufficiently advanced technology (such as hybrid seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.). At this point, it may become more profitable for the farmer to specialize and focus on one or a few particular crops due to economies of scale. This may be further augmented by higher levels of technology that might significantly reduce the risk of poor harvests.

Another important difference between commercial farming and subsistence farming is the new emphasis on capital formation, scientific progress and technological developments, as opposed to a reliance mainly on natural resource utilization that is common to subsistence and diversified farming. Commercial farming development projects are basically established to strengthen agricultural production systems and facilitate access to market for targeted value chains among small, medium and large scale commercial farmers.

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2.4 Investment in Irrigation

Nigeria is listed by FAO among nations that are at the moment technically unable to meet their food needs from rainfed production at low level of inputs and appear likely to remain so even at intermediate levels of inputs, between 2000 and 2025.

The Investment in Irrigation to supplement rainfed agriculture has become necessary to alleviate food insecurity for the teeming population of Nigeria. Food security, considered as the access to food at all times by all peoples, is one of the major concerns of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Food demand grows at the same pace as the population growth but because of the modification of diet in the cities (increasing consumption of rice and wheat among the cereals), part of the demand would have to be met through food imports, not because these demand cannot be met at home (Nigeria) but because there are no total commitment to commercial agriculture on both rainfed and irrigated farming (NINCID, 1999).

However, it is important to note that the development of water resources, especially for irrigation purposes in Nigeria, dates back to the Pre-colonial era and the traditional application of water to land for dry season farming in Northern Nigeria was one of the earliest attempts made towards increasing agricultural production. Though Nigeria has not developed irrigation to the same extent as other developing nations, particularly in Asia, only about a million hectares is currently irrigated in Nigeria. By contrast, India, which has about 3.5 times the land mass of Nigeria, irrigates nearly forty-five (45) times as much land.

Nigerian government (federal, states and some few local governments) has invested so much in irrigation through the provision of some basic irrigation infrastructures ranging from dams (concrete and earth dams), weir, boreholes (motorized and hand-pump operated), canals (main and minor canals), sprinklers, etc; even the seeds and seedlings were provided through farm managers and extension agents.

2.5 Arable Crops Grown in Nigeria

'Arable' is the term used to describe the system of farming which uses ploughed fields to grow crops. Arable farming has made Nigeria sustainable ever before the discovery of petroleum. Therefore commercial arable farming is the cultivation of land to grow crops on a large scale. It is carried out, either as rainfed or irrigated scheme. Commercial Arable farming involves the use of large acreage of land and usually goes with mechanization, i.e. the use of farm machineries and implements like tractors, cultivators, ploughs, harrows, boom sprayers, etc. It also includes the application of modern agricultural practices like irrigation, drainage, crop rotation, fertilizer application, etc. Specialization is also encouraged in commercial farming as it involves the expertise of many professionals in various fields connected with

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agriculture, e.g. Agronomy, Irrigation, Land Management, crop processing, Research and Development, Marketing, etc. Necessary basic amenities and infrastructures also need to be provided for effective commercial arable farming.

It is however pertinent to know that agriculture engages about 70% of the labor force. Nigerian agriculture was in small and scattered farm holdings and farming is often at the subsistence level, characterized by simple tools and shifting cultivation. These small farms produce about 80% of the total food from about 30.7 million hectares (76 million acres), representing 33% of Nigeria's total land area. Agriculture contributed 32% to GDP in 2001 (www.nationsencyclopedia.com (Africa) Nigeria-Agriculture.html). This subsistence farming has also been practiced mostly on rainfed mode.

Agricultural products grown in Nigeria can be divided into two main groups: food crops, produced for home consumption, and export products. The most important food crops are yams and manioc (cassava) in the south and sorghum (Guinea corn) and millet in the north. In 1999, production of yams was 25.1 million tons (67% of world production); cassava (manioc), 33.1 million tons (highest in the world and 20% of global production); cocoyams (taro), 3.3 million tons; and sweet potatoes, 1,560,000 tons. The 1999 production estimates for major crops were as follows (in thousands of tons): sorghum, 8,443; millet, 5,457; corn, 5,777; rice, 3,399; peanuts, 2,783; palm oil, 842; sugar cane, 675; palm kernel, 565; soybeans, 405; and cotton lint, 57. Many fruits and vegetables are also grown by Nigerian farmers.

Cocoa was the leading non-oil foreign exchange earner; however, growth in the sector has been slow since the abolition of the Nigerian Cocoa Board. The dominance of small-holders in the cocoa sector and the lack of farm labour due to urbanization have led to a drastic decline in cocoa production. Nigeria has the potential to produce over 300,000 tons of cocoa beans per year, but production only amounted to 145,000 tons in 1999. Rubber is the second-largest non-oil foreign exchange earner. Despite favorable prices, production has fallen from 155,000 tons in 1991 to 90,000 tons in 1999. Low yield, aging trees, and lack of proper equipment have inhibited production

2.6 Transition from Subsistence to Commercial Arable Farming

Subsistence farming is highly limited in terms of productivity; this is not unconnected with the limited capacity of the simple tools used in farm operations, coupled with the limited manpower used in production; more than 90% of farm operations in Nigeria are carried out using farm tools (Anazodo et al., 1989). The inability of rainfed agriculture to provide the required quantity of moisture for agricultural crops when needed makes matters even worse. Therefore the need arise to find workable solutions to the limitations highlighted above and many other, hence the need for

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the introduction of mechanization into agriculture. Agricultural mechanization can be described as the development, introduction, and the use of mechanized assistance of all forms and at any level of sophistication in agricultural mechanization. It involves design, development, operation and maintenance of prime movers and devices for agricultural land development, crop production, processing and storage. However, in Nigeria, three levels of mechanization can be identified, these includes hand tool technology, draught animal technology and engine power technology. It must be noted that the mechanization needs of the farmer will depend on the power requirements of the farm as determined by the farm size, the production system and the extent to which existing power supply is a constraint on improving output (Onwualu et al., 2006).

Due to the limitations of the subsistence farming, alongside rainfed agriculture, the need arose to move on to improved production scale that will feed Nigerias teeming population. Amongst the three levels of mechanization enumerated, the second level of mechanization, i.e. draught animal technology has been adopted in several parts of the country, especially in the northern part of the country, but it is still limited in production level, and with a lots of challenges too. Hence commercial arable farming will rely mostly on engine powered mechanization technology.

3.0 POTENTIALS OF COMMERCIAL ARABLE CROP FARMING IN NIGERIA

The contribution of Commercial arable farming to the economy could be measured from its impact on certain economic indicators. Shyllon (1998) identified these key indicators to include the following:

3.1 Reduction of Inflation Rate

The most basic and direct impact of reduction of inflation rate in the economy on the average Nigerian is felt more on the prices of primary food items. Given the various theories of the behaviour of man, it is obvious that the satisfaction of man's food requirement is the first basic need of man. Where inflation erodes the ability of man to satisfy this first need for his existence, then life in itself is threatened and makes governance near impossible. One can derive justification for this assumption from the popular saying - a hungry man is an angry man and, of course, it would imperatively mean that an angry man would be difficult to govern. An analysis of this symbiosis shows how inflation in the midst of poor supply of agricultural products can lead to chaos and anarchy. Not only that, since a large proportion of industry requires raw materials from the agricultural sector, a depletion of supply through the parasitic effect of inflation ultimately leads to greater decline in economic performance of the nation.

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3.2 Employment Generation

Undoubtedly, commercial farming could be one of the largest employers of labour in such a peasant economy as Nigeria. In the advanced world, only about 5 per cent is engaged in agricultural production. In Nigeria, between 65 per cent and 75 per cent of the populace is engaged in agricultural production on a peasant scale. It is obvious that any attempt to commercialize arable farming will improve this percentage, not only in terms of reducing the farming population directly engaged in food production, but significantly multiplying the output such that Nigeria will be better able to produce enough food and raw materials for the populace and for the industries. The nation would equally be able to earn substantial amount of foreign exchange for its development. The excess people displaced from agriculture due to commercial farming can then be properly trained and engaged in other sectors of the economy for the widening of the scope and output in the economy.

3.3 Increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being the aggregate of all domestically generated revenue is a measure of a nations economic growth. In a peasant economy such as Nigeria, domestically generated revenue could be greatly improved by investing in commercial farming. This is because a well-funded agricultural sector would not only ensure adequate provision of food to feed our ever growing population and provide raw materials for industries, but would also provide for export purposes and increase the quantity of goods and services produced in the economy. The increased revenue so derived can be used in developing other important sectors of our economy, thus raising the living standard of the populace and boosting the economic prosperity of the nation.

Commercial arable farming would also reduce the number of people engaged in agricultural production and make them available for other useful purposes that will generate more revenue for the economy.

3.4 Balance of Payment

A country that relies heavily on imported food and raw materials to feed her populace and to satisfy her industrial requirements without adequate export activities to offset this import expenditure cannot be expected to have a favourable balance of payment. Indeed, such an economy is prone to economic instability as it is would become vulnerable to the whims and caprices of her trading partners on which it is dependent.

The yearly poor performance of Nigeria's balance of payment position could be significantly improved as evidenced from the performance of such other countries

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that depend on agriculture for economic prosperity such as Denmark, Malaysia, etc. It can be imagined what (balance of payment) benefits would have accrued to Nigeria if the huge revenue derived from petroleum over the years had been effectively utilized in developing the commercial arable farming, with all its multiplier effects on the life of our nation.

4.0 ENHANCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL ARABLE FARMING IN

NIGERIA

4.1 Developing New Areas

More production can be realized by developing new areas. Expansion of rainfed agriculture will in most cases include conversion of natural forests, mountain slopes or marginal soils, resulting in disturbed ecosystems and increased erosion. To achieve the same production increment, less land can be developed if provided with irrigation. However, the best places are already occupied and development of new areas will be more costly. Much attention has to be paid to the rehabilitation of poorly performing systems, especially those degraded due to poor management. Development of drainage systems and improved water management practices could return large areas to productive use.

Rainfed agriculture will remain the main producer of traditional cereals and tubers. Self sufficiency of traditional cereals is important for the household food security of rural populations. Rainfed production will grow at the rate of the rural population.

Irrigation will grow as fast as the urban demand in fruit, vegetable and rice. However, at the national level, wheat will continue to be imported, while rice production will increase; yet the percentage of import may have to be kept at its present level. Local rice production would mostly come from irrigated farms and be supplemented from fadamas and rainfed production.

4.2 Urbanization

Urbanization will also increase water withdrawals for domestic and industrial use resulting in less water being made available for agriculture. Though the quantity of water withdrawal for domestic and industrial uses might be relatively small, the quality of the return flows from both, are often seriously degraded. Because water is essential for agriculture, the most important external environmental effects on agriculture are related to the availability and quality of water.

More so that, water resource potential of Nigeria is estimated to be 250,000 million cubic meters (MCM) comprising 190,000 MCM of surface water with the balance in the form of groundwater. This not withstanding, water is still a limiting factor to

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agriculture in most part of the country, especially in the semi-arid and sub-humid zones lying above latitude eleven degrees (110) north.

Rural to urban drift, particularly by the youth, in search of greener pasture, increasing urban food demand without directly contributing to it, is a serious global problem

4.3 Crops Grown

The major crops grown in the country can be divided into two main groups: food crops (produced for consumption) and cash crops. Despite the importance of the cash crops, the primary policy of agriculture is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in its food requirements. However, not all crops can individually be cultivated in all parts of Nigeria; this is because of so many factors that include among others, climatic and vegetation differences, soil types, pest and disease infested areas. For instance, cotton and groundnuts are cultivated in the north, while cocoa and oil palm are for the south. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, there are obvious limitations to where and to what extent certain crops can be cultivated.

4.4 Land Tenure System

As some people own surplus arable lands, so it is that some suffer in search of it to cultivate some crops; some of these land owners trade with the land extorting the hard working people that are ready to put it to use. Government on her part has tried through the Ministries of agriculture and agencies like NALDA to make agricultural land available to all as much as possible, but alas, not much progress was made.

The problem of land ownership in Nigeria has no doubt affected agricultural development; as not all have equal right and access to land, especially agricultural lands.

4.5 Soil Type and Fertility

Nigeria is divided into diverse ecological and eco-climatic Zones. Based on these, different crops are grown at different regions. These have affected the types of soil and soil fertility and off-course the species of microorganism there with.

The micro-organism found in soil help to nourish the soil in many ways, among which is the decomposition/degradation of both organic and inorganic (foreign) materials; converting them into useful elements in the soil, and invariably placing different soil nutrients at different places in different times of the year.

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4.6 Fresh Water Availability

Population growth reduces the per capita availability of fresh water supplies, leading to stress or even scarcity. Under a new classification scheme, a country with an annual renewable fresh water supply per capita of more than 1,700 cubic meters (m3) will experience only occasional scarcity of fresh water supplies.

5.0 TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE FARMING IN NIGERIA

Technology as a term means many things to several people and these depend on the setting or the context. Broadly defined, however, technology implies any practical art which utilizes scientific knowledge. The object is usually to advance and enhance human society and conditions. Technology is used to harness the forces of nature and transform the resources that nature has bestowed on man, into goods and services for better quality life. Such goods and services range from power generation to military weaponry, from food production to food processing storage and packaging, to housing and to every other human needs and activities.

Because of the vast agricultural potentialities of Nigeria, major technological investments would be expected in crops, livestock and fisheries production to advance entrepreneurial abilities of investors in the sector as well as to ensure national self-sufficiency in food and fibre production. Investments would also be required in the main and subsidiary industries that would use agricultural produce as raw material. Investment would similarly be required in commodity trading to help stabilize and guarantee prices for farmers and local processors.

This paper highlights some of the technologies that have been developed for commercial arable farming in Nigeria.

5.1 Traditional Technologies:

These are the simplest and most basic technology for agricultural mechanization in use to some extent for commercial agriculture in Nigeria. These technologies range from the traditional cutlasses and hoes, to the developed stick and stone tools which are the only means to enhance labour productivity in the pre-historic times. These hand tool technologies use man as a power source; and are inefficient and ineffective. Man is limited to about 0.1hp continuous power output and is therefore, grossly inefficient as a primary source of power. However, in many parts of Nigeria where arable farmers are predominantly peasants, traditional technologies are still important.

As a step further in the traditional technology, animal muscle power is substituted for human power, a process which already started in ancient civilization. A large variety of implements and machines have been developed which use animals as

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the principal power source. According to Ajav (2000), the current animal traction areas of the country can be classified into four distinct regions, namely:

Active Animal Traction Region (AATR) Semi-Active Animal Traction Region (SAATR) Introductory Animal Traction Region (IATR) None Animal Tractor Region (NATR)

The following is the overall view of the animal traction technology in Nigerian Arable farming, (Ajav, 2000)

- Over 2 million Farmers spread across 19 states of the federation are actively involved in the use of animal traction.

- Less than 10% of the 2 million active animal traction farmers exploit the full potentials of animal traction through the use of limited available implements. Most of other farmers are only familiar with the ridging and transport equipment and their operation.

- Most farmers lack animal drawn equipment like ploughs, harrows, planters, weeders and harvesters.

- Animal traction implements/equipment are mostly produced and maintained by local blacksmiths. These blacksmiths are mostly constrained by insufficient patronage, unavailability of raw materials, inadequate workshop facilities and ineffective marketing strategies.

Table 1: Estimates of areas under different power sources in Northern states of Nigeria

Power Source Hoe Animal power Tractor

Number of farmers (million) Area cultivated (ha/farmer/yr) Total area cultivated annually (million Ha) Percent of total area (%)

7.5 1.0 7.5 86.0

0.1 5.0 0.5 5.5

0.015 50.0 0.75 8.5

5.2 Improved Technologies

Okigbo (1988) summarized the engineering and improved technological inputs presently used in traditional and modern commercial arable farming (Table 1). However, it is obvious that to transform Nigerias largely traditional farming system to modern commercial one, there is the need to inject in the system, substantial engineering and technological inputs that are properly managed in terms of both

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environment and existing/potential technologies (Asoegwu and Asoegwu, 2007). For commercial arable farming to succeed, agricultural production, processing and utilization must necessarily move from the present subsistence nature to a commercial one through mechanization which must be environmentally friendly. Efforts are being geared towards the replacement of human operator with mechanical systems including automated ones as human operations are inconsistent and less efficient.

There is ample evidence that the contribution of internally generated improved technology in Nigerias agricultural sector is substantial. Appreciable achievements have been made in respect of food processing and storage especially at the commercial farm levels. Development of grain silos and other storage systems has enabled the long storage of bulk grain produce. Silos (5 - 2500MT capacities) and warehouses (200-500MT capacities) have been built by Government agencies (The National Food Reserve Agency). Generally, in an effort to reduce human drudgery, minimize labour costs and enhance overall productivity and efficiency, the national research system have designed, fabricated and tested an array of improved agricultural tools and equipment suitable for use under Nigerias socio-economic environment and conditions.

Scientists in research institutes have developed improved varieties of different local arable crops like cowpea, soyabean, cassava, plantain, banana, rice, etc using a lot of improved agricultural mechanization technologies. The increased production of most crops in the northern part of Nigeria is due mainly to improved varieties and increased engineering input including irrigation facilities.

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Table 2: Technologies used in Traditional and Modern commercial Farming

Description Traditional Farming Modern Commercial Farming Land Area Small (1-5ha) Large (10-100ha or more) Tools/Equipment Simple: fire, hoe, axe,

digging, sticks, matchets Complex: Tractors and implements, threshers, and other better quality and higher output equipment.

Crops Many species (5-80) landraces, no genetic improvement, wide genetic base

Few Species (1-3) improved narrow genetic base.

Animals Several species Usually 1-2 species Labour Manual, human energy or

animal power Mechanical, petroleum fuels, electric energy

Soil fertility maintenance

Follows, ash, organic manures

Inorganic fertilizers, sometimes manure, soil amendments, eg. Lime, etc.

Pests and Disease management

Physical/cultural Mainly mechanical/chemical (insecticides, fungicides, etc)

Crop management Manual Growth regulators for defoliation control of flowering, fruit drop, etc.

Harvesting Manual or with simple tools Mechanical Tractors, plus implements: threshers, combine harvesters.

Post harvest handling and drying

Simple sun-drying or over fires

Mechanical forced air, artificial drying using petroleum fuels, sometimes refrigeration.

Source: Okigbo 1988 5.3 Appropriate Technologies:

The term appropriate technology may be used instead of intermediate technology or selective mechanization. Appropriate technology refers to the level of mechanization technology and how it is used for arable farming in Nigeria. Appropriateness can only be determined after carefully considering the technical, economic and social characteristics of each situation. No generalization can be made concerning the appropriateness of a particular agricultural tool, implement or machine for arable farming. From the foregoing, new and improved technologies to be adopted for arable farming in Nigeria must be appropriate and acceptable both in terms of the farmers socio-economic environment, resources and technical

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suitability of the technologies themselves. Therefore technologies for arable farming in Nigeria can only be said to be appropriate if:

- The machines are compact, light, low-powered and multi-purpose. Local available materials must be incorporated in fabricating the machines to reduce the manufacturing costs. Manufacturing and designing parts must be precise.

- Small-size tractors, mini-power tillers, and small farm equipment must meet the needs of commercial arable farmers. Operators safety and comfort must also be considered.

- The high cost of fossil fuel in Nigeria emphasizes the need to develop energy efficient machines by harnessing non conventional sources of energy.

6.0 ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE FARMING IN

NIGERIA.

Nigeria is one of the largest countries in Africa, with a total geographical area of 923,768 square kilometers and an estimated population of 140 million (2006 estimate). Nigeria has a highly diversified agro-ecological condition, which enables her to produce wide range of arable crops. Hence, agriculture constitutes one of the important sectors of the economy. The Nigerian agriculture had been at the subsistence level in the past years, but with the introduction of labour saving devices, tractors, equipment and tools, commercial agriculture is now being practiced. This section discusses some of the socio-economic impact of the introduction of technologies (machines, processes, and improved crop varieties, etc) on commercial agriculture in Nigeria, as well as some of the criteria that these technologies must meet before they are adopted.

6.1 Socio-economic impact of Introducing Technologies to commercial arable farming in Nigeria.

6.1.1 Food Security:

Food security guarantees all human beings physical and economic access to the basic foods needed to lead active and healthy lives. It is a dynamic process that is closely linked to thematic topics of poverty, human capacity, creation of employment and generation of income in an ever changing spiral that can move upward and downward. With the introduction of improved technologies to arable farming in Nigeria, commercial agriculture has been boasted thus, resulting in the production of varieties of crops with high yield all year round, and to a reasonable extent securing the availability of food to the Nigerian populace.

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6.1.2 Growth in the Agricultural Sector:

With the advent of technologies, in agriculture, family farms which previously were at subsistence level have been encouraged to participate in agricultural trade thereby increasing their income. Their participation has resulted in the growth of the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy.

6.1.3 Rural Development:

With the application of technologies to agriculture, more agricultural crops and livestock are produced to service the agro-industries in the country. Most of these agro-industries are located near the commercial farms which are also located in the rural areas. As a result, rural road networks are improved and employment is generated for the rural dwellers. Other basic infrastructures like water and electricity are also attracted to the rural villages, thus bringing about rural development.

6.1.4 Value Addition to Agricultural Products:

Before the advent of mechanization technologies for the processing and storage of agricultural crops, most commercial farmers export their farm produce like cocoa, rubber, coffee, cassava, fruits and vegetables, etc., to other countries at very low prices and in raw form. But with improved processing technologies, available, commercial farmers can now add value to their produce and process them locally to generate more income.

6.1.5 Increase in Productivity:

The essence of technology in any business is to increase the productivity per labour and income. Technology input to commercial agriculture in Nigeria has helped to sustain business profitability. However, careful consideration of the choice of technology input that will ensure the desired profitability must not be neglected. Technologies like early maturing, high yielding and disease resistant varieties, etc., have no doubt impacted positively on the commercial arable farming in Nigeria; so, also are the, mechanization technologies that have reduced labour, ensured timeliness of operation and at the same time improve productivity.

6.1.6 Stabilization of Market Prices:

Investments of commercial arable farmers in Nigeria into improved storage structures for grains, cold storages for livestock, fruits and vegetables, etc., during periods of surplus harvest has helped to stabilize and guarantee good prices for the farmers and agro-processing industries. For instance, about 55% of Nigerias roots and tubers are consumed locally (especially potatoes, cocoyam, yam and cassava), while the balance of 45% is exported. The only way that prices of the

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exported products can be guaranteed is through better storage and transport facilities with corresponding value additions. Oil crops like groundnut, soyabean, oil palm, etc., are processed into vegetable oil using appropriate mechanization technologies. As vegetable oil, they can be stored for longer period and sold at a guaranteed market price at a later date.

6.1.7 Diversification of Investments:

With the introduction of technologies to commercial arable farming in Nigeria, the commercial farmers have been able to diversity their investment. Most commercial farms have various investments in fisheries, livestock, agro-processing, machine and spare parts production, marketing, research and development, etc. These diversified investments have yielded more income, generated employment and also sustained the commercial farming business in Nigeria.

6.2 Criteria for Adoption of Technology for Commercial Arable Farming in Nigeria

According to Ekpere, (1995), the last twenty years have witnessed great investment in agriculture and agricultural mechanization technologies, as well as in research and development of new technologies in Nigeria. The research efforts at the national and international research centres like IITA, Ibadan; NCRI Badegi; IAR&T, NCAM, NSPRI, ARCEDAM, etc., have resulted in significant yield in many crops, insect and pests control, livestock and fisheries production, processing and storage equipment; Yet farmers are sceptical in taking full advantage of these technologies. Technologies are viable only when they are used by farmers. No matter how well new technologies work on research stations, if farmers do not use them, their development would have been in vain (Sandra etal. 1989). Therefore, for technologies to be adopted for commercial arable farming in Nigeria, the following criteria they must met:

6.2.1 Proper Awareness:

There is no doubt that various technologies for increase in production and drudgery reduction have been developed or imported into the country. But lack of awareness of such technologies by the farmers have hindered their adoption. Therefore, for any new agricultural technology to be adopted by farmers, adequate awareness of the technology must be ensured.

6.2.2 Relevance of the Technology:

For any technology to be adopted, it must be relevant to the needs and aspiration of the end user. There would be no need for an early maturing variety of cowpea or rice if there are no mechanical dryers to dry them as soon as they are harvested. Also, there would not be any need for a tractor mounted tuber harvester if there are

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no tractors. As a matter of fact, technologies must be demand-driven not supply driven before they can be adopted. Information on the specific needs and problems of farmers can be obtained in the annual cropping season evaluation surveys conducted by IAR, NAERLS, PCU and the Agricultural project Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (APMEU) in collaboration with HDPS or other periodic diagnostic surveys. Such information is passed on to the Research and development centres or organization during the annual National Research Extension Farmers input linkage system (REFILS) planning meetings at NAERLS and at National Conferences, technical review meetings of ADPS, seminars and workshops.

6.2.3 Affordability of Technology:

For a technology to be adopted by farmers, it must be affordable. Affordability does not end at initial cost of the technology. It also includes repairs and maintenance cost, availability of personnel to operate or manage the technology and the impact of the technology either to the environment or the immediate user.

6.2.4 Socio-cultural Compatibility of Technology:

One of the reasons why some technologies are not adopted is because they may not be socially or culturally compatible with the people in the community where they are to be used. For instance, in a community where most of the available labour are female, they may not be allowed to operate some machines or equipment. In such an environment, no mater how effective that technology is, the adoption will be hindered.

6.2.5 Literacy Level (of end users, Farmers):

Most Farmers in Nigeria are illiterates and so are very conservative. They find it difficult to let go some of the age long agricultural practices that has been handed over to them by their fore fathers. Even, when they are willing to learn, they lack the means through which they can be taught because of their literacy level. However, with proper extension services using local languages, this problem can be reduced.

7.0 PROMOTING THE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE CROP FARMING.

Popularization of agricultural technologies for adoption by our farmers must be promoted by the Government and other interest groups to enable commercial farming take firm root in Nigeria. The roles of these groups are as follows:

7.1 Role of Universities and Research Institutes

These institutions as shown in Table 3 specifically go into research in agricultural technologies for adoption to enhance commercial farming.

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The universities carry out educational training and research on agricultural technologies while research institutes such as the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, carry out adaptive and innovative research in design, fabrication and testing of proven agricultural technologies. The research institutes conduct programmes on adaptive research for the development of better agricultural tools, equipment and machines for land clearing, weeding, harvesting, crop preservation and processing, as well as the development of low cost machine and equipment appropriate for the effective mechanization of the Nigerias farming operations which presently are predominantly small-scale. The institutes have deep and intricate knowledge of the local conditions and the constraints of the farmers.

The future programmes of NCAM, for example, are aimed at linkage and collaboration on Research and Development between NCAM and other Research Institutes and are geared towards achieving a better bilateral understanding with other agencies for an improved mechanization of the nation's agriculture. New horizon would be covered through bilateral cooperation with sister research institutes in Nigeria and some African Countries. Such a bilateral co-operation was to be entered into with the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for whom some machines and equipment would be fabricated by NCAM.

Within the mandate of each research institute, different research and development activities have been carried out. Such activities include:

- Genetic improvement of crops which has led to increase in yield of crops; hence, increase in the overall incomes for farmers.

- Improved technologies in the processing of crops that have led to good qualities and high quantities of the various processed products. Hence, increase in the overall incomes to the processors. It has also led to increase in job opportunities for the unemployed masses.

Development of machines, equipment and implements for farming systems and post-harvest technologies by the Research and Development institutions would help the local fabricators to invest in massive production of the equipment, implements and machines.

The National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, through its Research and Development activities has developed a wide array of agricultural equipment suitable for Nigeria conditions. Prospective investors could take up the mass production of these equipment for the benefit of the Nigerians farmers and economic growth of the nation.

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Table 3: Some Agro-Based Research Institutes that could be involed in Commercial

Farming Development in Nigeria

S/No Research Institute Mandate Ecological Zone Covered

1. National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Idofian, Ilorin, Kwara State

Research into agricultural mechanization through the development of sustainable indigenous mechanization technologies.

All ecological zones in Nigeria.

2. Cocoa Research institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan

Research into the genetic improvement and production of cocoa, cashew, kola, tea and coffee.

Ecological zones covered by the specified crops.

3. Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan

Research into forestry, agro-forestry, wildlife, and environmental production and conservation.

Total farming systems for the ecological zones encompassing Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi and Zamfafa States.

Ecological zones encompassing Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

4. Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria.

Research into genetic improvement of sorghum, groundnut, cowpea, cotton, sunflower, maize.

Total farming systems for the ecological zones covered by Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna Kebbi and Zamfara States.

Northern and Western zones of Nigeria

(N.W. Zone

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Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan

Research into kenaf, jute and soil and water management.

Total farming systems for the ecological zones encompassing Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta States.

Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta States.

6. Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri

Research into genetic improvement of millet, wheat and barley.

Total farming systems for the ecological zones covered by Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa States.

Ecologies encompassing Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, Bauchi and Adamawa states

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7. National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Zaria.

Co-ordination of all agricultural extension and specialized support activities in crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, irrigation and food technology

All ecological zones of Nigeria.

8. National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria.

Research into animal production and animal products.

Ecological zones covered by the specified animals

9. National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi

Research into the genetic improvement and total farming systems of rice, soyabean, benniseed and sugarcane; and extension services in the middle belt.

The middle belt zones.

10. National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New Bussa.

Research into genetic improvement of fresh water fish species, other aquatic resources and their production in Nigeria; and

Research into long term effects of man-made lakes on ecology and environment.

Ecological zones covered by the fisheries and aquatic resources.

11. National Institute for Horticultural Research (NIHORT), Ibadan

Research into genetic improvement and production of fruits and vegetables as well as ornamental plants.

Ecological zones covered by the specified plants.

12. National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike.

Research into the genetic improvement of cassava, yam, coco-yam, Irish potato and ginger.

Total farming systems, research and extension services in South-East zones.

Anambra, Enugu, Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Plateau States.

13. National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Jos

Research into all aspects of livestock and animal diseases; their treatment and control

Development and production of animal vaccines and sera, etc.

Ecological zones covered by the animals.

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14.

Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos.

Research into the resource and physical characteristics of Nigerian territorial waters and the high sea beyond; and

Research into genetic improvement of marine and brackish water fish species oceanography and aquatic resources, their production and processing.

Ecological zones covered by the ocean and territorial waters.

15. Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City.

Research into the genetic improvement, production and processing of oil palm, rafia, date, coconut and ornamental palms.

Ecological zones covered by the specified plants.

16. Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN), Benin City.

Research into the genetic improvement, production and processing of natural rubber and other latex producing plants, such as gum arabic.

Ecological zones covered by the specified plants.

17. Federal Institute for Industrial Research (FIIRO), Lagos.

Research into agro-industrial and food processing technology and upgrading of indigenous production and processes; and

Food science and technology, design and fabrication of machines.

Ecological zones covered by the plants.

18. Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna.

Research into tsetse and simulium flies and diagnostic methods on the control of trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis.

Ecological zones covered by the animal.

19. Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin

Research into the improvement of storage and preservation systems on major food and industrial crops; and

Studies on stored product pests, pesticides formulation and residue analysis.

Ecological zones covered by the plants.

20. National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria.

Research into hides, skins, leather, industrial chemicals, polymers and plastics.

Ecological zones covered by the specified plants and animal.

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21. National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja.

Research into medicinal plants/herbs and drugs development and formulary

Ecological zones covered by the specified plants.

22. National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NAGRAB), Ibadan.

Husbanding of plant and animal genetic resource. Development resources in genetics.

Ecological zones covered by the specified plants and animal.

Source: Oni (2004).

7.2 The Roles of Banks and Financial Institutions

The Nigerian banking system is geared primarily at larger corporate lending, where the transaction costs relative to the loans are low and the level of risk, security and borrower sophistication are good from a lenders point of view. To overcome this propensity towards the larger scale borrowers, of the commercial and merchant banks, the government has set up several development banks to assist the agricultural and industrial sectors of the economy. Aside from launching the Nigerian Agricultural and Cooperative Bank (NACB) as a financial institution devoted to agricultural finance in 1973, the government also introduced the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) in cooperation with the Central Bank in 1978, and directed banks to allocate their credit portfolio to certain preferred sectors, of which agriculture featured very prominently. However, ACGSF recorded very limited success. To ensure the continued relevance of ACGSF in the agricultural development efforts of government, a number of modifications have been made to the scheme since the SAP era, and they include the following:

i) Self-Help Group Linkage Banking Programme

ii) The Interest Draw Back Programme

iii) Refinancing Scheme

iv) Financial Intermediation through NGOs

In addition to the above, the formation of the National Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) from NACB, Peoples Bank and the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP), the recent consolidation exercise in the Nigerian banking system leading to the formation of mega-banks has

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dramatically increased the scope and pool of available capital for commercial farming development. Essentially, the country now possesses the basic financial infrastructure required to fully realize its commercial farming potentials (Oni, 2004).

7.3 Role of Private Sector

It has been repeatedly canvassed that, for commercial farming to succeed in Nigeria, it must be based on domestic engineering initiative, to design, develop and manufacture locally most of the tools, equipment and machines needed for all the agricultural production, field operations and post-harvest processes. There is an overwhelming load of evidence to demonstrate that the establishment of an effective local agricultural machinery manufacturing industry is a pre-requisite for a viable agricultural industry anywhere. All the homologous countries of the world which have achieved significant successes in their agricultural industry, such as India China, Philippines, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Egypt, etc., started by establishing domestic manufacture of the needed machinery, based on national developmental a policy which emphasizes self- reliance as an operative technology ideology (Odigboh, 1997).

The role of the private sector in enhancing new technologies through Research and Development should not be overlooked. For this sector to embrace the mass production of equipment prototypes, various encouragements would have to be extended to the sector. This could be done through the provision of infrastructures and credit facilities to create a condusive environment for the establishment of industries.

On the other hand, the private sectors should also initiate linkages with research institutes by funding Research and Development activities in research institutions and higher institutions of learning so as to compliment the efforts of government in this aspect.

The lack of confidence in the indigenously developed technologies by multi-national companies had grossly affected the rate at which they support local initiatives of research institutions. The Federal Government of Nigeria should encourage and/or challenge these companies to contribute by offering them tax concessions for supporting research and development efforts of the various research and higher educational institutions in the country.

It is generally agreed that the surest and fastest way of promoting commercial farming development is through the promotion of private sector participation.

The following areas, according to Simalenga (2000), clearly underscore entrepreneurial opportunities through mechanization that can be explored by the would-be investors in commercial agriculture:

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(i) Manufacture/fabrication of agricultural tools, implements, equipment and Machines by agriculture-led industries:

(ii) Fabrication of tillage, cultivation, planting and harvesting tools, implements and equipment;

(iii) manufacture or assembly of production agricultural machinery (engine powered);

(iv) manufacture/fabrication of animal-drawn implements and equipment;

(v) manufacture/fabrication of spare parts for the above mentioned tools and equipment;

(vi) manufacture of spraying equipment;

(vii) manufacture of transport equipment;

(viii) manufacture of crop processing equipment (shellers, threshers, oil eexpellers, etc.); and

(ix) manufacture of fruits and vegetable processing and packaging equipment (fruit juice, vegetable purees, etc.).

7.4 The Role of Government (Federal, State, LGs, etc.)

The roles the government plays in promoting the adoption of agricultural technologies for commercial arable crop farming are many. However, some of the most vital ones are in the area of land clearing, food processing and storage. Development of grain silos and other storage systems have enabled the long-term storage of, particularly, bulk grain produce. Silos (5 - 2500MT capacity) and warehouses (200 - 5000MT capacity) have been built by government agencies (e.g. the National Strategic Grain Reserve Unit) for storage of grain products at strategic locations all over Nigeria as intervention efforts and for research purposes to prevent food shortages. Warehousing of bagged grains stacked on pallets in well- ventilated buildings is wildly used in research institutes and at the National Seed Services Centre (NSSC) in Nigeria (Adewumi et al., 2005).

There is Crop Storage Unit (CSU) which has developed On-farm storage unit most relevant to each ecological zone. In an effort to reduce human drudgery, minimum labor cost and enhance overall productivity and efficiency, the government in putting in place appropriate infrastructure for mechanized agriculture in Nigeria, established various institutes, centre, parastatal and agencies such as the NCAM at Ilorin for the development of labor saving devices, machinery testing and machinery standardization, in collaboration with Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and

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strengthen the Rural Agricultural Industrial Development Schemes (RAIDS) for the manufacture of intermediate prototype processing machines with world bank assistance.

The Cassava Enterprises Development Project (CEDP) goal is to diversify and strengthen rural economy in selected geopolitical zones in Nigeria using cassava as the engine of growth. This CEDP is administered by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). It is targeted at resource poor producers, micro and small scale processors, most of who are women; as well as fabricators, traders, agribusiness entrepreneurs and consumers, as secondary beneficiaries.

The cassava initiative (CI) has shown encouraging statistics: production rose to 40 MT of tuber in 2005. In the same year, gari (processed cassava) was exported to Sierra Leone and first 40 MT of cassava chips to china (Opara, 2006). With the mechanization of CI, it is expected that production will reach 150 MT of tubers by 2008.

The Rice Initiative (RI) is being facilitated by the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) in collaboration with the West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) with the objective of attaining an output of 9 MT of milled rice in 2007.

The Vegetable Oil Initiative (VOI) aims at developing large hectares of oil palm, groundnuts, cotton seed, soybean, sheanut, castor oil, melon, sunflower, beniseed, with the attendant mechanization for increased production and increasing the nations capacity for edible oil production. With the ban on the importation of vegetable oil, the organized private sector in Nigeria has taken the challenge and has sustained local consumption.

For the Tree Crops Initiative (TCI) governments objective is the rapid multiplication and distribution of high yielding, disease resistant and early maturing planting seeds, seedlings and plantlets to farmers at subsidized rates. These trees are meant to mitigate the devastating effects of deforestation, improve wood and timber resources as well as on-timber forest products (NTFP): fruits, leaves, barks, fuel wood, bush meat and medicinal plants (Spore, 2006).

The various tiers of the Government (Federal, State and Local Governments) can play an important role in actualizing and maximizing the benefits accruable from investments in Research and Development. This can be achieved through the following:

Provision of enabling economic policy that enables the private sector and research institutions to contribute maximally.

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Adequate funding of Research and Development's efforts in research institution and universities.

Provision of adequate engineering infrastructures like roads, water, electricity and housing including recreational facilities in the rural areas.

Provision of credit facilities from banks and financial institutions to ease the economic burden on the investors through loans at low interest rates.

Provision of low or total tax waiver for potential investors to encourage massive investments in Agro-based Research and Development.

Such other incentives as subsidy on purchase of locally developed agricultural equipment so as to encourage adoption, and subsidies on other agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and planting materials are most pertinent.

8.0 CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL ARABLE FARMING IN NIGERIA.

8.1 Land Use Act

In Nigeria, the land use decree of 1978 (Act 1999), makes no provision for the use of urban land for crop production. This implies that agriculture is associated with rural land use alone. Though the Land Use Act vests full title to land in the hands of Local Government Councils, States and Federal government, the communities still remain the traditional custodians of land in their domain, thus favoring the subsistent, fragmented holdings by small-scale producers and entrepreneurs. Any desire to acquire large contiguous land must take these facts into consideration.

As far as the decree is concerned, urban land development means the construction of urban structures. The decree also vests all urban lands in the chief executive of state governments (that is, the governors). This policy statement has encouraged governors to deprive urban cultivators access to land through compulsory acquisition of land and ejection, without compensation (except for mature crops), of urban cultivators from acquired sites. Consequently, areas that were supposed to serve as green belts have been allocated for urban construction (Olofin, 2003).

The unwritten law that encourages the cultivation of vacant parcels of land that cannot be allocated for urban construction (such as in areas of aviation installations, aprons of railway tracks, etc.) has neither been formalized nor gazetted. It was part of a speech that ushered in Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) in 1976 and re-echoed during the launching of Green Revolution in 1980, encouraging Nigerians to cultivate all available land in the cities and at ones backyard. Thus, cultivators of such public vacant lands are merely squatters whose tenure are very insecure. Insecurity of tenure, especially among small-scale farmers has been known to act as

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a disincentive to the conservation of resources, including reforestation and soil conservation projects. This is so because farmers are not willing to make necessary investments for which they may be unable to reap future benefits.

Ownership affects land use, farming systems, institutional structure, ecological conditions, adoption and use of technology, food production and self-sufficiency, and overall wellbeing of the rural and urban population. Poverty and resource are highly correlated with land distribution favouring the rich class. The rich have access to land which is less prone to degradation or erosion and they have the resources to invest and improve the land. On the other hand, the poor farmer continues to till a marginal resource base despite increase in their number.

8.2 Funding

Research is rendered ineffective by erratic and unpredictable fluctuation in funding (Idachaba, 1980). The uncertainty resulting from such fluctuations is compounded by the fact that research results cannot be predicted in advance. All Research Institutes in Nigeria have had unexpected instability in funding, especially in the last few years. Many projects cannot be completed because of cuts in support. Related to this is the arbitrary manner in which funds are allocated among various kinds of agricultural research.

The issue of subsidy of agricutural inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides also raise serious concerns to commercial farming. The government allocation of agricultural inputs to various states usually do not get to the end users, particularly, at the time they are required. This constitutes great problems as it affects timeliness of operation, thus, eventually affecting the final crop yield.

8.3 Inadequate infrastructure

Effective commercial arable farming in Nigeria requires the adoption of such mechanical systems as farm tractors, farm implements and associated equipment, and improved (high yielding variety) seeds, chemical fertilizers and herbicides, and better management techniques under a favorable climatic condition for enhanced productivity. However, nearly all machinery and equipment in use have to be imported. An identified inadequacy is the tendency to import machinery and equipment without due consideration to local maintenance and support capability and equipment appropriateness (NAMA, 1992).

Importations of machinery and equipment have introduced great variability into Nigerian farming systems without any attempt to rationalize and standardize them. This makes their continuous application and the stocking of relevant spare parts an extremely difficult proposition. There is a dire need to ensure that machinery and

29

equipment imported conform to pattern and type of agricultural practice of the recipient country.

Lack of Infrastructure; Provision of basic infrastructure for the establishment of these industries is a necessity, but in reality most of the infrastructure is not in place. These infrastructures include industrial layout, buildings, electricity, roads, water, etc. These are the pre-requisites for the establishment of these industries. Provision of credit facilities and other incentives to interested entrepreneurs by the government should also be encouraged.

8.4 Subsistence nature of the Nigerian agriculture:

Labour force has reduced from 70% to about 60 - 65%. The farming population continues to decline due to ageing and there is no improvement in the level of literacy.

The scenario is exacerbated by the continuous migration of young able bodies from rural settings to the already exploding urban Centres in search of economic empowerment.

8.5 Lack of appropriate mechanization technologies:

The application of appropriate mechanization technologies must be a matter of scale, from simple affordable to large-scale complex ones. The vast majority of the Nigerian farmers still operate on small size holdings, using crude and antiquated traditional tools and farming methods.

The country is yet to witness an upsurge of medium - to - large scale farming and agri-business that would consistently employ mechanization technologies (engine powered tools, production machineries and equipment, processing, packaging and marketing technologies, etc.) with the resultant effect that incomes from agri-business remain too low and the enterprises absolutely unattractive.

8.6 Production and Management Constraints:

Because of low level of literacy and lack of proper understanding of application of agro-technology equipment, farm inputs and modern farming concepts, Nigerian farmers are at a disadvantage in the processes of land cultivation, crop planting and management of farm operations.

The employment of modern farming techniques, inputs and machinery and equipment for large-scale farming would have a multiplier effect on agricultural productivity.

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Quite often, farm productivity is low not because of limited supply of machinery and equipment, or the capacity to produce, but largely because of inability of farm manager to harness human and material resources to bring about enhanced agricultural productivity (Oni, 1996). In essence, farm managers must assume better management strategies for their machinery and equipment systems if they are to make profit.

9. THE WAY FORWARD In order to guarantee the adoption of appropriate technology for commercial arable crop farming in Nigeria, attention must be focused on the following action areas:

(a) Investing in Irrigation It is important to note that commercial agriculture in Nigeria can neither flourish nor be sustained on rainfed farming alone. This is because most viable arable lands in Nigeria are found in places that experience low rainfall. Therefore, investing in irrigation and irrigation infrastructure provides high prospects for intensive commercial farming development in Nigeria.

(b) Resource Recovery The design, construction, manufacture and maintenance of the technology for commercial arable crop farming must involve deliberate policies to ensure re-use of raw materials. In Nigeria wood, plastic and steel (scrap) industries need special attention.

(c) Research and Development Sustainable development of commercial arable crop farming can only materialize in a developing nation when there is adequate research and development in sustainable technologies. Such effort should not be limited to the technology development alone, but should include the political will to adopt and use the technology, social values, economic and commercial considerations, and public perceptions of using the technology.

(d) Provisions of Infrastructure The lack of infrastructural facilities for the development of small-medium-scale industries which provide way of developing indigenous technology is one of the factors militating against the indigenization of technology. The provision of these infrastructures will give an assurance for the development of indigenous technology suited for commercial farming in Nigeria.

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9.5 The role of Government

The Government has a vital role to play in the provision of funds for research and development into indigenous technologies for commercial farming through the following:-

Restriction on the importation of machineries and other engineering equipment in order to promote the development of indigenous technologies for commercial farming in Nigeria.

Provision of policy that would enable the private sector, multinationals, and others to contribute to research and development through a special taxation process.

Provision of low or complete tax holidays for potential investors or entrepreneurs in commercial farming in Nigeria.

9.6 Private sector participation The lack of fund to back the activities of the research institutes has been one of the greatest impediments to the development of indigenous technology for commercial farming in Nigeria. The private sector needs to be enlightened on the importance of their contributions to the growth of indigenous technology. The support given to research and development by this sector will go a long way in the development and adoption of the technologies for commercial farming in Nigeria.

9.7 Promotion of mutual relationship between researchers and end users of the technology

Research and development can not be done in isolation. Research and development should be tied to demand by the users which will help the researchers to be focused. There should also be good extension services or marketing strategies as the case may be to convince the end users to adopt the new technology. Thus, there should be a two-way flow of information between the researcher/developer and the end users of the technology.

9.8 Training Research staff of the various research institutions lack the necessary training and exposure due to dwindling fund for training by the institutions. So also are the extension agents and the end users of the developed technologies. Efforts should be made to conduct training and re-training of these interest groups to enhance the adoption and efficient use of the developed technologies for commercial farming in Nigeria

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10 CONCLUSION

Adoption of appropriate technology for commercial farming in Nigeria will no doubt lubricate the wheels of economic activities of the country. This is because technology constitutes the engine for economic growth. It is absolutely necessary if the economy of Nigeria is to be revitalized. It must be emphasized that without appropriate knowledge, engineers and technologists can do very little. Hence, considerable attention has to be paid to the training of engineers, technologists extension agents, end users and allied personnel involved in every aspect of commercial farming in Nigeria.

The roles of the government, financial institutions, the research institutes, the private sector and other interest groups must be carefully and effectively carried out if the dream of developing sustainable commercial arable farming in Nigeria is to be realized.

The crucial challenges facing commercial farming in Nigeria are the understanding and learning from the past, becoming informed of a fast changing Nigerian society, improving the ways of conducting research and environmental studies as well as designing, constructing and manufacturing technologies as closed-loop and integrated ecosystems to the extent possible.

However, technology must lead the way to better resources management, innovative industrial processes, modified transportation system, infrastructure, better environmental management and restoration, and in commercial farming enterprise development.

To break the cycle of poverty in Nigeria, the right attitudes to work must be developed and sustained. Adoption of appropriate technology offers the developing nations the means to achieve these aims so as to build an efficient and prosperous economy. However, to achieve these, technology must be indigenous or home-grown and integrated into the national life and continuously promoted and upgraded to ensure sustainability.

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