INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ON GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GROWTH IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the influence of agricultural sector on gross domestic product
(GDP) growth in Nigeria from 1981 to 2015. The broad objective of this study is to evaluate the
impact of agricultural sector on gross domestic product growth in Nigeria. The specific
objectives of the study are; to ascertain the effect of crop production on gross domestic product
growth in Nigeria. To examine the effect of livestock production on gross domestic product
growth in Nigeria. To assess the effect of fishery production on gross domestic product growth in
Nigeria. And to determine the effect of forestry production on gross domestic product growth in
Nigeria. The researcher used secondary source of data in the study because of the nature of the
study. The results show that agriculture is statistically significant in influencing GDP growth in
Nigeria. The result does not contradict Uma, Eboh and Obidike (2013) whose study indicated a
combined effect of the variables (crop production, livestock production, fishery and forestry) was
significant. However, the study differed in the individual contributions of crop production,
livestock and fishing on GDP growth. In line with expectations crop production and livestock
productions increased especially since 2011, therefore contributing slightly higher
comparatively to other year to GDP growth. However, forestry and fishery went contrary to
expectation. It is recommended that government should take advantage of the general positive
change in attitude of Nigerians towards agriculture by building sustainable agribusiness
ecosystem with private sector active participation. Also, provide supporting infrastructure and
control systems to encourage commercial agriculture.