"SEC | S20W4: "ROLE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE ECONOMY"

Agriculture can be regarded as the stronghold of mankind. This is because most of man’s daily needs emanate from agriculture. Considering that agriculture has helped man since inception, it also plays a role in the society. If we consider most of the changes in various aspects of the society, then we can trace its root to agriculture. Without much ado, let’s get into the details.

In this case, I'll use maize as the main grown crop.

Social Roles

• Food Security: Maize as one of the main grown crops in my country has provided food to different households. In its prime season, the rural and urban inhabitant has a strong source of food because of its inert potential.
• Income generator: A farmer who has much maize on his farm can decide to sell some thereby generating income for himself. It’s such a lucrative activity.

Industrial Roles

• Pharmaceutical role: Maize starch is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a binding agent. Do you know that maize starch is involved in the production of paracetamol?
• Animal feed: In the world of animal feed, the maize starch or shafts are utilized in the production of animal feeds. With this, the animal has the potential of gaining carbohydrate.

Since maize is our point of reference, we can see that maize has helped in reducing the rate of poverty. Imagine a farmer who owns a large piece of land cultivating maize. After several months, the crops are matured and ready for harvest. He considers subsistence and commercial ways where he utilizes some and sells the rest. The buyer converts the maize to different products which he or she sells to the end consumers. In this case, each member of the chains except the consumers achieve profits. In terms of rural development, it can spring up different bodies to supply social amenities to the community.

In my country, here are the main challenges affecting the production of top crops.

• High cost of living: Currently, the economy of the country is heading in another direction as there is an increase in product prices in the market. As a result, most farmers barely afford to buy inputs for their farm. This affects the productivity of top crops in my country.
• High inflation by farmers: Since the farmers bought these inputs on the high side, they have sold their produce on a high price scale to avoid loss. This is because no commercial farmers wish for loss in his or her enterprise. This arrangement in turn affects the consumers which some of them buy meagerly so that they maintain their purse.

Over the years, the Nigerian government has implemented different policies that boost agricultural productivity. Let’s find out.

• Youth in Agriculture Program (YAP): the fact is that young bloods aim for white collar jobs neglecting the source of foods and employment. This program was made to encourage youth to go back to farming.
• Agricultural Promotion Policy: this policy kept its focus on making sure that agriculture provides for certain needs in the society.

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The solution I suggest to boost agricultural productivity includes.

• Adoption of improved farming techniques: Techniques like crop rotation, utilization of quality seeds, balanced farm inputs; etc can help in those products.
• Mechanization adoption: In an area where there is a large acre of land, human laborers might be exhausting and produce declining productivity. Introducing mechanization which includes farm machines can help boost the work and productivity.

Farming is actually a food supplier and an economy booster, isn’t it?

I invite @bossj23, @patjewell and @goodybest to this challenge.