Roles of Government in Agricultural production

Government Plays important role in the development of agriculture. This has helped to solve the numerous problems which resulted in the poor development of agriculture. The roles of Government in Agricultural production or ways by which government may increase food production include:

Provision of effective transaction network

Government should construct roads to ease the transportation of produce from the farm or rural areas to Urban centers. Without good roads and good vehicles, most of the produce will be wasted and this could discourage farmers

Provision of financial assistance

The government through it's various agencies can help in the provision of financial assistance,this may be through loan or otherwise

Provision of storage and processing facilities

In other to prevent the spoilage and wastage of foods , government should provide storage and processing facilities in all parts of the country, this can also help in the storage of food for time of scarcity.

Provision of high quality planting materials

Seeds and other planting stock which are of high quality with high yielding, disease, pest or drought assistance should be provided and distributed to farmers 

Establishment Of River Basin Authorities

The establishment of river basin authorities by the government will make water available to farmers for irrigation or during the drying season farming.

Provision of Agrochemicals

Agrochemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, vaccine and drug should be provided and distributed at a subsidised rates to increase crop and animal yield.

Efficient Quarantine Measures 

The government should provide an efficient and effective quarantine measure to check and control the inflow of crop seeds, animals and animal products which may carry with them disease pathogens.

Provision of tractors and other implements

Government should provide farm tools and implements such as tractors, plough , planters , and other equipment or machineries for hiring to enhance easy and quick cultivation of large farm land .

Provision Of Extension Services

Government should provide extension services to local farmers to intimate them with modern farming practices techniques.

Provision Of Research Work 

Government should establish research institute to make research in food varieties and animal breed with the aim of improving their level of production.  

Research institutes in Nigeria

National veterinary research institute, Vom, Jos (NVRI)

Cocoa research institute of Nigeria Ibadan (CRIN)

International institute of Tropical Agriculture , Ibadan (IITA)

Nigeria institute for oil palm research, Benin (NIFOR)

National institute for Oceangraphy and marine research, lagos (NIOMAR)

National Root crop research institute, Umudike (NCRI)

Credit: essential biology jss3