Background:
Over the past 40 years, agriculture in Nigeria has declined by
almost every measure – share of GDP, value of exports, productivity.
Nigerian agriculture commodities are no longer competitive in regional
or international markets. Although Nigeria is rapidly urbanizing,
a majority of Nigerians still live in rural areas, and agriculture
forms the basis of their livelihoods.
Problem Statement:
Poor performance of the agricultural sector is caused by inconsistent
policies and the use of low-input, low-output technologies. Post-harvest
losses are high, appropriate processing and value adding technologies
are not available, a commercial orientation is lacking and market
information and linkages are weak
Approach:
MARKETS is expanding economic opportunities in the Nigerian agricultural
sector by increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing value-added
processing, and increasing commercialization through private-sector
led growth and development in support of USAID/Nigeria's strategic
objectives and intermediate results. MARKETS works along the commodity
development chain from primary producer to processor to end-users,
and reaching significant numbers of agricultural households and
rural enterprises. MARKETS' commodity chain, business development
approach identifies targeted commodity value chains that can benefit
from technological packages, increased value addition through storage
and processing, and significant commercialization, supported by
appropriate policy reforms.
Anticipated Results:
Improved farmer access to new crop varieties; increased availability
of selected fertilizers and other inputs through the private sector
to maximize the potential of improved varieties; adoption of improved
agronomic practices developed through adaptive/on-farm demonstrations;
assisting agricultural-related enterprises and service providers
to acquire and apply improved technical and management skills and
to access a wider range of financial services; improved net income
for rural producers and their families; creation of both on- and
off-farm jobs; increased orientation to the market-led, demand-driven
production to improve productivity and strengthen producer capacity
to identify the most profitable market opportunities for their commodities;
increased sales in relation to on-farm consumption; improved competitiveness
of value-added products leading to increased market share in local,
regional, or national markets; building competitive capacity to
penetrate export markets in the medium-term.
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