Food Security and Nigeria’s Agricultural Promotion Policy: Empirical and Cross-National Review

Abstract

The paper investigates Nigeria’s attempt at improving food security using the agricultural promotion policy and Sustainable Development Goal 2. It situates the discussion via empirical and cross-national review that juxtaposes Nigeria with seven other countries. The study relied on secondary sources of data, which were textually analysed. It is observable from the review that food insecurity results from a plethora of factors, namely: poor funding of agriculture; top-bottom approach to policy formulation and implementation; inadequate appreciation of the role of science and technology; natural disasters; and human-induced afflictions such as insurgency, banditry and general security deficits within and across national borders. To ameliorate these, strategic planning; robust technology adoption/adaptation; resuscitation of agricultural co-operative societies and funding institutions operating at reduced or free-interest on loans to practising farmers are canvassed by this paper. Other suggestions proffered are capable of redressing food security deficits identified.