The role of agricultural market reforms in enhancing farmers’ income in Nigeria

Abstract

Agricultural marketing reforms are imperative, given the yearly experience of small scale farmers in marketing their products. The outcome of farmers’ efforts has not translated into commensurate income overtime. However reformative efforts at improving value chain, productivity and market access have culminated into a wide range of technological solutions in the recent times. Efforts should therefore be concentrated on reforms aimed at not only adding value to agricultural products but to the development of market infrastructure and adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) information solutions. These are keys to resolving the chain of problems and ensuring enhanced welfare of farmers. The paper recommends that promoting smallholder production of export crops should have beneficial impact on agricultural production in general and on the food security and income of smallholder farmers in particular.