Nigeria Agriculture Sector Development Policy Operation

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The development objectives of the First Agriculture Sector Development Policy Operation Program for Nigeria is to strengthen the policy environment and institutional capacity to enhance agricultural productivity and market access among farmers, and to improve agriculture sector management. The operation is in line with the strategic focus of the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) FY10-13 and contributes directly to outcomes related to building sustainable agricultural development and market access. The CPS recognized that in order to sustain recent growth in the agriculture sector and its significant contribution to a robust growth in non-oil economy there is a deliberate need to increase agricultural productivity. The Nigerian Government has unprecedented opportunities to accelerate the country's development. Realizing the objectives of the transformation agenda will be essential to preserving stability in Nigeria. Agriculture is a major focal point of the transformation agenda. Agricultural growth in staples has the greatest impact on poverty reduction. The study identified significant potential for agricultural growth and poverty reduction through sector policies and investment, particularly those fostering improved productivity in food staples. One of the conclusions from the study is that Nigeria is unlikely to meet millennium development goal under its current growth path unless there is a significant improvement in agricultural productivity and in efficiency of public spending.