Agricultural Productivity, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: A Trend Analysis Approach

A strong agriculture sector benefits all of these factors: it is rich in foreign exchange, creates jobs, feeds the nation’s rising population, and provides raw materials for other industries. The contribution of Nigeria’s agriculture industry to economic growth and the struggle against poverty is examined in this essay. Nigerian agriculture has always been an important part of the country’s economy because it reduces poverty, creates jobs, and promotes economic growth. The study utilized time series data from 1980 to 2023 using a trend analysis methodology. Over 60% of Nigerians were employed in agriculture prior to the discovery of oil, and only 6% of the country’s population lived in poverty. This illustrates the industry’s significant influence on Nigeria’s economic prosperity and, therefore, the reduction of poverty. In other words, enhancing agriculture will contribute to employment creation, which reduces poverty. The study, therefore, recommended that government should raise agricultural capital spending, boost marketing efforts for agricultural production, and boost agricultural productivity.