Implementation of Vision 20:2020 Agricultural Policy and Food Production in Nigeria, 2007-2015

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue XII, December 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Implementation of Vision 20:2020 Agricultural Policy and Food Production in Nigeria, 2007-2015

 Ofozoba Chinonso Anthony
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract:-The study set out to examine the implementation of the vision 20:2020 agricultural policy by the Federal Government and its effect on food production in Nigeria between 2007 and 2015. The qualitative method of data collection and analysis and the Marxian instrumentalist theory were adopted for the study. The study established that the implementation of the Vision 20:2020 did not effectively improve and modernize production systems in Nigeria between 2007 and 2015. Again, the implementation of Vision 20:2020 did not impact effectively on the production of tubers, grains and livestock in Nigeria between 2007 and 2015. The “improved seed projects”, Agricultural Credit Support Scheme (ACSS) as well as Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS), and some stated subsidy packages (including that of acquisition of tractors, fast yielding crops, etc) could not be accessed by most farmers. Irrigation and efficient extension schemes, as well as use of highly disease resistant livestock campaign were not implemented. Adequate funds were not released for agricultural research institutes thus leading to low adaptability to modern farming techniques. Worse still, rural farmers lacked information on modern farming techniques, as monies meant for farmers’ enlightenment programmes were embezzled. Therefore, production of tubers, grains and livestock has either declined from 129947000 tons in 2006 (i.e. prior to implementation period) or recorded insignificant increases subsequently as against the policy goal of 100 percent increase in production. The study recommended that the government should match the Vision 20:2020 agricultural policy with commensurate funding and corrupt practices must also be checked at the level of policy implementation so as to achieve good result. The government should also advance workable strategy of attracting meaningful contribution from the private sector under the public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

I. INTRODUCTION

Nigeria has, in 2007, set an ambitious target to become one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020. This target is known as “Nigeria Vision 20: 2020”. A major thrust of this goal is to accelerate the country’s economic growth and position it on a path of sustained and rapid socio-economic development. Abdulhamid (2008) traced the history of this target to a research conducted by economists at an American Investment Bank, a fall-out of which was a prediction that Nigeria would be in the league of 20 top economies by year 2025.

Read More