By Cynthia Alo & Kafayat Kokumo
Industry experts have said Nigerian farmers are trapped in poverty by low productivity and supply chain gaps that can cost smallholders up to 60 per cent of their produce.
They spoke recently at the second edition of the Climate Smart Agriculture Dialogue Series organised by TransGreen Foundation, where they identified low yields, fragmented markets, inadequate financing, weak extension services and climate change as major constraints to agricultural development.
Speaking during the webinar held under the theme, ‘Can Regenerative Agriculture Feed Africa?’ Country Director, Sasakawa Africa Association, Nigeria, Dr. Godwin Atser, said Nigeria’s agricultural productivity remained significantly below that of countries such as India, leaving Nigerian farmers with far lower incomes.
He said: “Our farmers are trapped in poverty. And this is because if you look at the productivity compared to India across key crops, whether you are talking of rice, wheat or maize, a country like India has higher productivity than Nigeria.
