Agriculture

Agriculture makes a significant contribution to the economy, accounting for 40% of GDP at the end of the fourth quarter of 2011 and employing 60% of the population. Sector policy is guided by the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan (ATAP), which aims to diversify the economy and support rural areas while also reducing the cost of food imports. Some $8.3bn is spent on importing staple foodstuffs annually, a figure that is rising by 11% a year. Under the ATAP strategy, the government wants to boost domestic production for staple crops such as rice and cassava, as well as cash crops like palm oil, cocoa and cotton. Yet significant obstacles remain in the form of finance, infrastructure and land availability. This chapter contains an interview with Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.