Problems and Prospects of Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria

This article explains the Problems and Prospects of Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria. According to Wikipedia, agricultural mechanization uses machinery to mechanize agriculture, greatly increasing farm worker productivity. In modern times, powered machinery has replaced many farm jobs formerly carried out by manual labor or by working animals such as oxen, horses and mules. 

Agricultural Mechanization is the key to modernization and industrialism in developed countries. Agricultural Mechanization may include the usage of trucks, harvesters, tractors, modern farming tools, and even airplanes. The major objective of agricultural mechanization is to boost the productivity of the farm, support the production of large quantities, and better the quality of farm produce. This implies that agricultural mechanization is the path Nigeria must take to food sufficiency, but what are the problems and prospects of agricultural mechanization in Nigeria?

Problems and Prospects of Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria

Poor Land Tenure System

This factor in Nigeria mitigates the progress thus far made in Agricultural mechanization. Farmers are not able to acquire more land to begin commercial farming. In Nigeria, the current land ownership act leads to too much division of farms. Agricultural mechanization hardly occurs in small farmland.

The poverty of Farmers/ Inadequate credit facilities

In Nigeria, many farmers live in hopelessness and poverty. They do not have the needed fund to acquire modern farming implements. The fact that farmers in Nigeria do have access to loan facilities makes this situation worse.

Scarcity of machinery

Farmers who can purchase expensive modernized farming implements face an obstacle. They import machinery outside the country, which means it costs more to procure them. This is one of the serious problems of agricultural mechanization in Nigeria.

Lack of infrastructure

Nigeria lacks the needed infrastructure to support mechanized farming. Infrastructures like good road networks, stable power supply, and ease of doing business are lacking in Nigeria. This means that these challenges will hinder the exportation of farm products.

Illiterate farmers

Most Farmers in Nigeria are illiterate. This implies they are oblivious to modern farming implement and procedures that can improve farm output. They may be unable to adopt mechanized farming or use these farm devices.

Poor agricultural policies

For decades, the government has only paid lip service to implement policies that could better the agricultural sector. The inability of the government to create policies that innovate and boost the productivity of farmers is one of the Problems of Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria.

Economic factors

The availability of farm machines is limited in the country due to various economic reasons.

Lack of knowledge

Many farmers still need to learn how to utilize farm machines effectively, and some are hesitant to adopt them.

Insufficient extension agents

There is a shortage of personnel responsible for training and educating illiterate farmers, which hampers their ability to carry out their duties effectively.

High maintenance costs

The expenses associated with maintaining farm machines are considerable, and the cost of renting these machines is also high.

Incompatibility with local soil

Most of the available machines are unsuitable for the specific soil types in our region.

Shortage of skilled operators

There is a lack of experts who possess the necessary expertise to operate farm machines proficiently.

Limited land for peasant farmers

Peasant farmers typically have access to only small plots of land, which poses challenges in utilizing large-scale farm machinery effectively.

Prospects of Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria

Better Food sufficiency: Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria will end hunger, and improve farm yield, boosting food sufficiency. The spate of food importation will end in the country.

Foreign Exchange: Adopting Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria will increase the exportation of farm produce, hence boosting the foreign exchange. This will improve the economy.

Improve packaging, processing and storage:  Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria eliminates the wastage of farm produce because they store farm produces using better storage facilities.

How to Improve Agricultural Mechanisation in Nigeria

Here are ways the government can improve Agricultural mechanization:

• The relevant government and private agencies should collaborate and synergize so that farmers become educated and aware of the effect of climate change and the need for innovative farming practices. These agencies include the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Water resources.
• Government should provide adequate funding and pay attention to agriculture in Nigeria. Farmers need funds to service worn-out tractors and other agricultural tools. Also, the deployment of tractors, fertilizers and seedlings to farmers should be closely monitored.
• Government should establish more storage facilities to prevent wastage and spoilage.
• Training centers in geo-political zones should be opened and equipped for educating farmers on farming for business, marketing, deployment of modern technology and management of the environment.
• Investors should center their effort on creating processing industries.
• Government should increase the employment and training of agricultural extension workers.
• Road networks in the country should be repaired and rehabilitated for easier transportation from farms to markets.
• Accessing credit facilities by farmers from financial institutions should be made less stringent and easier.

The benefits of agricultural mechanization

The benefits of agricultural mechanization include:

Food sufficiency

Agricultural Mechanisation will enhance food production in Nigeria. This will increase the supply of food. to reduce hunger and food insufficiency.

Foreign exchange earnings

Mechanized farming system would boost the foreign exchange income potential of the country.

Commercial agriculture generates surplus food that is exported to other nations.

Better packaging and processing

Agricultural mechanization also enhances the storability of farm produce.

It improves both agricultural produce processing and packing. All of these lessen food waste. It lowers the price of agricultural products.