Theory question 101
Agricultural Development(a) State four roles of government in agricultural production.
(b) Describe four traditional land ownership systems in Nigeria and give one disadvantage of each system.
Show the model answer
(a) Any four: providing credit/loans and subsidies; supplying inputs (improved seeds, fertilizer, chemicals); extension services; research; building roads, storage and processing facilities; price control/marketing support; land reform policies; providing rural amenities
(b) Communal – land belongs to the community, members have use rights; disadvantage: cannot be used as collateral/strangers excluded
Inheritance – land passes from parents to children; disadvantage: fragmentation into small plots
Leasehold – land used for a fixed period on payment; disadvantage: no permanent development beyond the lease
Purchase/freehold – land bought outright; disadvantage: expensive, ownership disputes
(also gift, pledge, rent/tenancy)
Give four roles, then four systems each with one drawback.