Problems of Agriculture in Developing Countries
Agriculture can be important for developing countries in several ways; where food security is weak it can be a vital source of nutrition, it provides income for farmers and farm workers and thus revenues for rural areas, job opportunities in related areas such as processing and in some cases export revenue and thus foreign exchange for governments.
It is equally important to know the problems of agriculture in developing countries.
This article is set to address this very crucial aspect of agricultural policy and development.
Problems addressed, in reporting from relevant sources, include population pressure, subsistence agriculture, rural poverty, natural resource depletion with emphasis on deforestation, land degradation, decline in productivity, resource rich/urban biased policies, and gender disparities.
Read: Meaning, Nature and Scope of Agriculture
Meaning of Agriculture
Originally, the term agriculture is derived from two latin words “Ager” and “Cultura”. Ager means land and cultura means cultivation i.e. tilling the soil and preparing it for planting of crops. Putting the two words together i.e. land and cultivation, agriculture could be regarded as land cultivation.
Agriculture can be important for developing countries in several ways; where food security is weak it can be a vital source of nutrition, it provides income for farmers and farm workers and thus revenues for rural areas, job opportunities in related areas such as processing and in some cases export revenue and thus foreign exchange for governments.
In modern day farming, this definition is no longer acceptable as agriculture means much more than land cultivation. Modern agriculture therefore could be defined as the production of crops and rearing of animals for the purpose of producing food for man’s use and raw materials for industries.
Generally speaking modern agriculture involves the following activities:
• Rearing of farm animals for the production of food and raw materials
• Partial processing of farm products
• Preservation and storage of farm products
• Marketing of agricultural products
From the above definition, it implies that modern agriculture does not end in the production of food for man alone.
In modern day farming, farmers also cultivate land for the production of crops for feeding livestock.
Similarly, farmers also grow cotton not for food but to supply raw materials for the textile industry. The conversion of raw cassava tuber into garri and groundnut into groundnut oil and groundnut cake comes under the term processing.
A farmer’s job therefore includes the production of large quantities of farm products, preserving them against wastage and selling them to make profit which he adds to his capital or uses in obtaining other necessities of life.
Read: History of Agricultural Development Policies in Nigeria
Problems of Agriculture in Developing Countries
The problems of agriculture are categorized into four groups, namely technical problems, resources problems, socio-economic problems and organizational problems.
1. Technical Problems
2. Resources Problems
3. Socioeconomic Problems
4. Organizational Problems
Let look into detailed
1. Technical Problems
Technical problems include the following:
i. Inadequate infrastructural facilities
ii. High incidence of pests and diseases
iii. High cost of improved varieties of seedlings
iv. Dependence on unimproved inputs and rudimentary technology as well as lack of modern techniques in agriculture
v. Inefficient inputs and distribution system
vi. Inadequate extension services
vii. High environmental hazards
viii. Non-existent transportation networks for agricultural product.
2. Resources Problems
These include:
i. Shortage of labor caused by high level rural-urban migration
ii. High demand on land due to increasing population and industrialization, coupled with
iii. High rate of land degradation caused by oil exploration activities as well as industrial activities especially in the Niger Delta Region
iv. Lack of friendly bank policies for agriculture.
3. Socioeconomic Problems
These include:
i. Scarcity and high cost of improved farm inputs
ii. Inefficient marketing arrangement characterized by high marketing margins
iii. Lack of grades and standards
iv. Lack of legally enforceable ownership of lands as well as extension and credit
v. Low rate of growth in international demand for primary export commodities
vi. Poor road network as well as a lack of storage facilities.
4. Organizational Problems
Agricultural production is predominantly in the hands of a multitude of small scale unorganized farmers, scattered across the country.
Lack of organization, coupled with the dispersed nature of farm settlements, hinders the participation of farmers in agricultural and rural development.
It also hinders the supply of extension service, farm credit, and other vital inputs to farmers.