The transformation of smallholder agriculture in Africa: lessons in policy experimentation and governance from Nigeria

This paper seeks to analyse the evidence from policy experimentation in Nigerian agriculture, and to draw the lessons experience therefrom. This was based on participant observation techniques in collecting data and information on the agricultural transformation programme recently implemented, with particular reference to the delivery of price subsidy on fertilizer and seed to small-scale farmers nationwide, using mobile phone technology. Results indicated that the programme failed to improve upon the inherited poor structure, conduct and performance of the farm input market. While the quantity of fertilizer supplied increased by a paltry 27% during the period under study, the volume of subsidy paid increased by a whooping 785%. Thus, the use of mobile phone was not accompanied by any perceptible saving in in public fund deployed for subsidy provision on fertilizer and seed. Like the previous programmes, the use of mobile phone to deliver subsidy to farmers was not corruption free after all. Thus, in the light of the high opportunity costs involved, weighed against the political cost of its removal over the years, it appears that there is no end to corruption in the agricultural sector unless and until the fertilizer subsidy is removed entirely and alternative modes of supporting small-scale farmers is found in Nigeria.