Renewable natural resources, sustainable economic and poverty reduction in Nigeria

This paper analyses the role and implications of the management and use of renewable natural resources in economic growth and poverty reduction in Nigeria. Using data collected from relevant government ministries, research reports, publications and development agencies, it assesses the changes in quantity and quality of renewable natural resources, quantifies the economic and social impacts that these changes have caused and explores the growth implications for Nigeria. <br /><br />It is asserted that Nigeria's agricultural growth has predominantly been achieved through unsustainable expansion in cultivated area, rather than by sustained increases in productivity. Yield increases, even over a period of more than 40 years, were only marginal for a majority of crops. Indications from yield model estimation show that successive crop expansions have taken place on less productive land. <br /><br />The authors argue that degradation of the resource base and the lack of sustained agricultural growth reflect a failure of past policies to promote rational management of the renewable natural resources. <br /><br />The key challenge, it is asserted, is to stimulate and sustain agricultural growth through increased productivity and competitiveness. Sustainable management of renewable natural resources requires environment-friendly agricultural practices as well as agriculture friendly macroeconomic policies to correct structural distortions and mitigate adverse domestic terms of trade. <br /><br />It is argued that this challenge entails: innovative agricultural entrepreneurship research and extension to develop and implement sustainable farming systems and promote the adoption and use of modern inputs, technologies and efficient practices better funding for renewable natural resources-based sectors to ensure adequate fiscal bases for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction greater political will to adopt sound win-win policies which simultaneously promote agricultural growth and environmental sustainability <br /><br />