Problems of Agriculture in Developing Countries

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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



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.


Read: Definition, Scope, Nature of Agricultural Economics

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