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Introduction
Development economists believe that agriculture’s contribution to overall economic growth and modernization is unparalleled vis-à-vis other sectors, such as technology, health, etc. The growth in the agricultural sector will bring speedy development to the economy hence, the bedrock of national wealth emanates from agriculture. The thinkers of physiocracy believed that productivity in agriculture regulates the economy, and its surplus is spread throughout the system. In addition, Physiocrats believe the real productive sectors of the economy that generate surplus depend on agriculture.
According to [1] agriculture is an important sector that is responsible for achieving economic development and industrialization leading to the creation of employment in developing countries. They further explained that the development of agriculture cannot be over-emphasized due to its relevance in providing food and nutritional security in a country [1].
Agriculture is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy as it employs more than 70% of the population. It is a main source of raw material for agro-allied industries, and potent source of foreign exchange earnings. [2] observed that agriculture is critically essential for the provision of food and nutritional security, stimulation of industrialization, and generic economic development of the country.
Ogen quoted in [3] asserted that in the 1960s, Nigeria was the second largest in the production of cocoa in the world and the largest in the production of palm kernel and oil. Nigeria also played a major role in the production of certain agricultural products which inter-alia included groundnut, cotton, rubber, hides and skin [3].
The importance of food security in any country cannot be over-emphasized but in a country like Nigeria, agriculture is being abandoned for oil which made the country spend a huge amount on the importation of foods which she has a comparative cost advantage over. According to Guarantee Scheme Fund quoted in [4] food security is achievable when the majority of the people at a point in time have access to adequate, safe, affordable, and nutritious food that gives quality healthy life. More so, some researchers are of the opinion that it is not about having access to the food but the health implication of what is eaten. According to [5], nowadays, customers are extremely concerned about the health implications of the food they consume. As a result,...