Risks and uncertainties in food production and their implications for extension work in Nigeria

This paper examines the risks and uncertainties in food production and their implications for extension work in Nigeria. It also discusses some of the factors constituting uncertainties that limit agricultural production and productivity. These factors include, inter alia, land, labour, farm implements and inputs, market systems and government policies. On the other hand, weather risks, biological risks, technical risks and economic and social risks were discussed as other circumstances which greatly reduce the values of agricultural produce and products in terms of quality and quantity. Some risk mitigation and coping strategies which were noted as important ways of reducing crop losses include wiping out the sources of infection, use of disease-resistant plants for crop production and seed propagation, practicing good crop rotation and plant association, use of chemical products and growing crops in mixture. Some of the implications noted for extension work require that extension workers should move beyond simply providing farmers with information on food production and standardized technological packages. They should also provide advice and guidance that facilitate communication and coordination among many different stakeholders in natural resource management and market supply chains. Agricultural extension workers should be able to assist farmers in developing a range of agricultural production options. Extension workers and government should strengthen the existing village-level marketing options. They should analyze the marketing seasons, interact with the people involved in marketing and the provision of transportation facilities and thus, advise farmers accordingly. The recommendations made include, among others, the need for the Government of Nigeria to create and maintain the infrastructure required for agricultural development, ensure that research and extension services, input supply and credit arrangements, marketing structures and price system as well as communication and transport networks are all properly put in place.