The study explored and interrogated the nexus and intricacies of food security problem in Nigeria in its entirety and Ayamelum L.G.A. in particular.
The study discerned that in spite of the laudable efforts made by our extant leaderships in the country to solve the anomaly (food insecurity), some families are still wallowing in deep-rooted hunger and deprivation engendered by the ugly trend (food insecurity).
We used observation method in our data collection which enhanced the usage of secondary sources of data for the generation of relevant information.
Moreover, descriptive qualitative method of analysis was equally used for the analysis of the generated data, however, we based our analysis on Marxian theory of social relation of production of material value from which we observed the obvious link between individuals in production process.
Hence, we noted among other propositions that in any social relation of production of material value, there must be people that make rules and the others that obey the rules and equally that nobody will ordinarily make rules that will directly or indirectly be against his interest.
Based on the above assertion, the subsidization and distribution of fertilizers in the country are hampered by the tendencies that the few economically and politically advantaged class appropriate and corner the subsidized product to their selfish end thereby making the input to be structurally scarce for the potential poor and disadvantaged farmers.
Finally, to turn the ugly economic trend to normalcy, we recommend that the government should buckle-up by instituting a virile, robust and transparent agency that will work like EFCC to monitor the subsidization and the corresponding distribution processes so as to enhance the trickling down of the dividend of fertilizer subsidy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1:1 Background of the study = = = = = = 1
1:2 Statement of the problem = = = = = = 4
1:3 Objectives of the study = = = = = = 9
1:4 Significance of the study = = = = = = 10
1:5 Literature review = = = = = = = 11
1:6 Theoretical framework = = = = = = 26
1:7 Hypotheses = = = = = = = = 38
1:8 Method of data collection = = = = = = 38
1.9 Research Design = = = = = = = = 39
1:10 Method of data analysis = = = = = = 41
CHAPTER TWO: ESTABLISHMENT OF LOWER ANAMBRA IRRIGATION PROJECT (LAIP) IN NIGERIA.
2:1 The structural antecedent of Nigerian food problem. = 43
2:2 Historical background of the establishment of Lower Anambra Irrigation Project in Nigeria. 51
2:3 Organisational structure of the Authority = = = 58
2:4 Irrigation Development in Nigeria = = = = 62
2:5 The origin and dynamics of Lower Anambra Irrigation Project and food production in Nigeria. = = = 68
2:6 The impact of Lower Anambra Irrigation Project on Ayamelum Local Government Area in Anambra State. = 73
2:7 Historical Content of Ayamelum = = = = = 75
CHAPTER THREE: GOVERNMENT FERTILIZER SUBSIDY AND FOOD INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
3:1 Importance of fertilizer on agriculture = = = = 81
3:2 Need for government subsidization of fertilizers for Nigerian farmers = 84
3:3 Chronological sequences of fertilizer subsidization in Nigeria 89
3:4 Data presentation and analysis = = = = = 94
CHAPTER FOUR: FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTION AND FOOD PRODUCTION IN AYAMELUM L.G.A
4:1 Rationale for fertilizer procurement and distribution in Nigeria 101
4:2 Politics of fertilizer procurement and distribution in Anambra State 2007-2011 105
4:3 Fertilizer prices in Nigeria = = = = = = 108
4:4 Chronological sequences of fertilizer procurement and
distribution in Nigeria = = = = = = 109
4:5 Data presentation and analysis = = = = = 113
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5:1 Summary = = = = = = = = 118
5:2 Conclusion = = = = = = = = 120
Recommendations = = = = = = = 121
Bibliography = = = = = = = = 124
INTRODUCTION
In the world over, the importance of food security cannot be over emphasized because of its primacy in our social fabric and the world ranking order.
Socio-economic development of any country in the world stems from the country’s ability to overcome the problems of food availability, accessibility and sustainability; better still food security.
Agriculture is the economic heart of most countries and most likely source of significant economic growth (DFID, 2003). It has been observed as the major and certain path to economic growth and sustainability.
In spite of the dominant role of the petroleum sector as the major foreign exchange earner, agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy (NEEDS, 2004).
In order to generate more food for the growing population, the potential of agriculture has to be found. Nigeria has great potentials in food and cash crop production to increase productivity, become a net exporter and enhance food security (Dickson, 2004).
Emphatically, in order to stress the need for food in human terrestrial existence, Ake, (1981:1) stated as follows: To begin with, economic need is man’s most fundamental need.
Unless man is able to meet this need he cannot exist in the first place. Man must eat before he can do anything else-before he worships, pursue culture or become an economist.
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