An Analysis of Economic Determinants of Food Imports in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the economic determinants of food import in Nigeria. It used secondary data which were drawn from various sources including Food and Agriculture Statistical Facts, Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, and World Hunger Index. The data spanned between 1981 and 2021. Descriptive and econometric (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) methods were employed for data analysis. Findings showed that in Nigeria, exchange rate and domestic food production significantly affected food imports. Production of domestic agricultural inputs should, therefore, be encouraged through appropriate technology development. An increase in quality domestic agricultural inputs will bring about a decrease in the importation of agricultural inputs, thus reducing the influence of the exchange rate on agricultural production. Intensification of agriculture, therefore, should be encouraged more at the three levels of government through adequate and sustained support to farmers especially in the rural areas. This will increase domestic food production and will discourage food import.