Agricultural Development Policies, Programs and Food Security in Nigeria (1985-2010)

There were several agricultural development programs and policies in Nigeria prior to independence, aimed at providing row materials to colonial industries at home. The legacy left by colonial master manifested in the first and second national development plan as no serious measures was taken to enhance food production. The discovery of oil in the early 1970s leads to the total neglect of agricultural sector, where Nigeria as a food exporter suddenly wakens up and finds itself in a midst of food insecurity, importing million tons of wheat and rice to meet its home demand. The question asked by many analysts is does agricultural development programs and policies provides the desired results of providing high quantity and quality of agricultural outputs to the nation. Using linear regulation at ∞ =0.05, the following hypothesis was tested. Ho: There is no significant relationship between agricultural development programs, policies and food security in Nigeria. Using secondary data, the study found that agricultural development programs and policies do not achieved the desired objectives. The study recommended that, government should avoid misplacement of priorities and at the same time managerial and technical advices should be adhered.