1.1 Introduction
Agriculture is defined as the practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock for human consumption and economic gain (FAO, 2020). In Nigeria, agriculture remains a vital sector, contributing significantly to employment, food security, and the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Adebayo, 2019). Despite its importance, the sector faces numerous challenges, including outdated farming techniques, inadequate access to modern agricultural technologies, poor infrastructure, limited financing, and vulnerability to climate change (Olaniyan, 2022).
International agencies are organizations, often global or multilateral, that provide technical, financial, and advisory support to countries in need to promote development, sustainability, and economic growth (World Bank, 2021). In the context of agriculture, these agencies offer assistance in the form of grants, loans, training programs, and modern technologies aimed at improving crop yields, ensuring food security, and enhancing rural livelihoods (IFAD, 2020).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The involvement of international agencies in Nigerian agriculture dates back to the early post-independence era when the country sought external support to modernize its farming sector. According to Adebayo (2019), international organizations began engaging with Nigeria in the 1960s to provide technical assistance, modern farming techniques, and training programs for agricultural extension workers. These early interventions focused primarily on the introduction of improved crop varieties, mechanized farming equipment, and irrigation projects to increase food production and support rural livelihoods (Adebayo, 2019). Agriculture is widely acknowledged as the backbone of the Nigerian economy, providing employment opportunities for a significant portion of the population and contributing to national food security (FAO, 2020). According to Adebayo (2019), the sector is responsible for approximately 25% of Nigeria's GDP and remains a major source of livelihood for rural communities. However, despite its economic importance, agricultural productivity in Nigeria is low due to factors such as outdated farming methods, limited access to modern technologies, inadequate financing, and poor infrastructural support (Olaniyan, 2022).
International agencies have long played a significant role in addressing these challenges. IFAD (2020) reported that international agencies provide essential support to developing countries through grants, loans, capacity-building programs, and technical assistance aimed at improving agricultural outputs. Similarly, Ogunleye and Adeoye (2021) asserted that the intervention of organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is crucial in introducing modern farming techniques, improving supply chain management, and providing farmers with access to high-quality seeds and fertilizers (Ogunleye and Adeoye, 2021).
Akinola (2018) stated that the effectiveness of international interventions is often constrained by poor coordination with local institutions, policy inconsistencies, and limited monitoring mechanisms. Scholars also contended that while international agencies contribute significantly to agricultural development, the sustainability of their programs is sometimes questioned due to dependency on external funding and limited involvement of local communities (Olaniyan, 2022). Furthermore, FAO (2020) affirmed that gaps in knowledge transfer and inadequate extension services hinder the long-term impact of international assistance on smallholder farmers. This study is set against the backdrop of these challenges and opportunities, aiming to examine the contributions of international agencies to agricultural production in Nigeria and to assess the successes, limitations, and sustainability of their interventions.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that agricultural productivity in Nigeria is persistently low, primarily due to outdated farming techniques, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern technology, and insufficient financing for farmers (Adebayo, 2019). The inability of local resources alone to address these challenges accentuates the need for external support, particularly from international agencies, which provide technical assistance, funding, and expertise to boost agricultural outputs (FAO, 2020).
Furthermore, the lack of capacity building among local farmers, limited access to improved seeds and fertilizers, and insufficient extension services is a challenge that international agencies is expected to address but has yet to fully overcome. The disparity between urban and rural agricultural development is also evident, as rural farmers, who form the majority, often do not fully benefit from international programs due to logistical and infrastructural limitations (Akinola, 2018). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate the role of international agencies in increasing agricultural production in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to assess the impact of international agencies on agricultural production in Nigeria and determine how their interventions improve productivity and rural livelihoods. To achieve this aim, the study has the following objectives:
- To identify the challenges faced by international agencies in implementing agricultural programs.
- To examine the contributions of international agencies to agricultural development in Nigeria.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in increasing crop yield and productivity.
- To provide recommendations for enhancing the impact of international agencies on Nigeria's agriculture.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the contributions of international agencies to agricultural development in Nigeria?
- What challenges do international agencies face in implementing agricultural programs in Nigeria?
- How effective are international agency interventions in increasing crop yield and agricultural productivity?
- What measures can be taken to enhance the impact of international agencies on Nigeria's agriculture?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: International agency interventions have no significant impact on agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
- H1: International agency interventions have a significant impact on agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the interventions of international agencies and the increase in agricultural production in Nigeria.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between the interventions of international agencies and the increase in agricultural production in Nigeria.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research the findings will inform policy decisions and strategic planning for agricultural development. The study will also accentuate the areas where interventions are most effective and identify challenges that limit their impact.
Furthermore, local communities will experience improved livelihoods and food security through more effective agricultural support. In addition, farmers will benefit from the research outcome that improve crop yields and access to resources.
Lastly, the study will serve as a reference for policymakers, agricultural planners, and development organizations seeking to enhance food security and improve rural livelihoods.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the role of international agencies in agricultural production in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study will examine programs implemented by organizations such as FAO, IFAD, and the World Bank, particularly those supporting smallholder farmers and rural communities. The study will cover the period from 2010 to 2025 to capture recent developments in international agricultural interventions.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
The study was constrained by limited access to comprehensive records from some international agencies and local agricultural institutions. In addition, some respondents were unavailable due to farming schedules, which affected the data collection process.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Agriculture:
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock for economic and subsistence purposes (FAO, 2020).
International Agencies:
These are organizations that provide technical, financial, and advisory support to countries to promote development and sustainable growth (World Bank, 2021).
Agricultural Production:
Agricultural production is the total output of crops and livestock generated within a given period in a specified area (Adebayo, 2019).
Smallholder Farmers:
Smallholder farmers are individuals or households that operate farms of limited size, typically relying on family labor and local resources (Ogunleye & Adeoye, 2021).
Food Security:
Food security is the state in which all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and maintain a healthy life (IFAD, 2020).
Capacity Building:
Capacity building is the process of developing skills, knowledge, and infrastructure among individuals or institutions to enhance their effectiveness (Akinola, 2018).
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