Nigerian agriculture is characterized by considerable regional and crop diversity. Analysis of this sector, particularly the food sub-sector, is fraught with serious data problems. However, the available statistics provide a broad overview of development in agriculture upon which we can make some broad generalizations about its role in economic development and structural change in Nigeria.
In the 1960s, the agricultural sector was the most important in terms of contributions to domestic production, employment and foreign exchange earnings. The situation remained almost the same three decades later with the exception that it is no longer the principal foreign exchange earner, a role now being played by oil.
The sector remained stagnant during the oil boom decade of the 1970s, and this accounted largely for the declining share of its contributions. The trend in the share of agriculture in the GDP shows a substantial variation and long-term decline from 60% in the early 1960s through 48.8% in the 1970s and 22.2% in the 1980s. Unstable and often inappropriate economic policies (of pricing, trade and exchange rate), the relative neglect of the sector and the negative impact of oil boom were also important factors responsible for the decline in its contributions.
On its diversity, Nigerian agriculture features tree and food crops, forestry, livestock and fisheries. In 1993 at 1984 constant factor cost, crops (the major source of food) accounted for about 30% of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP), livestock about 5%, forestry and wildlife about 1.3% and fisheries accounted 1.2%.
One of the food crops grown in Nigeria is Maize. Maize (Zea mays L.), or corn as it is called in USA, has a multitude of uses and ranks second to wheat among the world’s cereal crops in terms of total production. Also, because of its worldwide distribution and lower prices relative to other cereals, maize has a wider range of uses than any other cereal.
Worldwide production of maize is 785 million tons, with the largest producer, the United States, producing 42%. Africa produces 6.5% and the largest African producer is Nigeria with nearly 8 million tons, followed by South Africa. Africa imports 28% of the required maize from countries outside the continent.
According to 2007 FAO estimates, 158 million hectares of maize are harvested worldwide. Africa harvests 29 million hectares, with Nigeria, the largest producer in SSA, harvesting 3%, followed by Tanzania.
Yield per hectare of 2-4 tons per hectare should be expected though the actual yield is a function of the seedling used and the agricultural practice carried out during the life span of the crop. It takes about 90 to 120 days for maize to mature. Fertilizer application would help to improve soil fertility and crop yield. You can use 200 kg of NPK fertilizer (25:10:10) per hectare.
Maize can be processed into different products for various end uses at the traditional level and on an industrial scale. One of such products produced from corn (maize) is corn flakes.
Corn flakes are food made by combining corn with sugar, vitamins and minerals to make them as nutritious as possible. For producing the fancy flakes specially designed flaker will be used. At present, corn flakes are popularly known as breakfast food in the world at large and generally taken with milk. Maize is the major raw material used for the manufacture of corn flakes.
Breakfast cereals witnessed current value growth of 25% in 2014. The primary consumers for breakfast cereals continued to be urban consumers. This was because urban consumers prefer a fast arrangement for breakfast due to their lifestyles, and breakfast cereals, especially flakes, provide exactly that.
Kellogg Co maintained a clear lead in breakfast cereals in 2014, claiming a value share of 26% with a broad portfolio that covers several categories and includes a number of global brands with high quality reputations. The popularity of the brand name guarantees that distributors give it preference and therefore it has a strong national distribution.
However, the company’s brands are premium priced and generally only consumed by middle- to high-income earners. Nestlé Nigeria ranked second with a value share of 16%, thanks to the popularity of its Golden Morn brand, while Nasco Group (Nigeria) Ltd rounds out the top three with an 11% value share, as its locally-produced Nasco brand is price competitive.
With a population of over 165 million people and an estimated national population growth rate of 5.7% per annum ,an average economic growth rate of 3.5% per annum in the past five (5) years, Nigeria has a large market for corn flakes.
———————————————————————————————————————
Foraminifera Market Research Limited (www.foramfera.com) is part of a family of businesses, which includes several brands such as
Hausworth Nigeria Limited owners of
365 Home Improvement — www.365homeimprovement.com (Nigeria’s One Stop Home Improvement Portal)
365 Property Portal — www.365propertyportal.com (Property listing, building materials sales and movers in Nigeria)
Kyneli Business Support Services owners of
365 Campaigner is a complete suite of social collaboration, communication and management tools for your team. From List building solution to event announcement and CRM, 365 Campaigner provides everything you need to boost sales, step up productivity and manage all day-to-day activities.
365 Campaign is the one stop shop for digital marketing solutions for businesses, politicians, religious organizations and individuals.
———————————————————————————————————————
At Foraminifera Market Research (www.foramfera.com), we provide bespoke and up to date market research reports. Our reports are designed to assist start-ups to understand the legal and financial requirements of starting the business, the market trends vis-a-vis demand and supply, competition, risk identification and mitigation strategies.
You can order our reports by clicking any of the links below
MAIZE FLOUR, GERM, BRAN AND GRIT PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA; THE FEASIBILITY REPORT.
MAIZE SUPPLY TO LOCAL INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA
CORN FLAKES PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA; THE FEASIBILITY REPORT
MAIZE STARCH PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA
Access our other Market Research Reports or investment opportunities in Nigeria by clicking on the link below
– MARKET RESEARCH REPORTS IN NIGERIA
– INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN NIGERIA
Contact us with any of the details provided below to arrange a meeting
Office Phone Number: 01- 295 24 13 (Monday – Saturday; 8 am – 5 pm)
Mobile Number: +234 (0) 8033782777;+ 234 (0) 908 335 7733 (Monday – Saturday; 8 am – 6 pm)
E-Mail Address: enquiries@foramfera.com
CC: foraminiferamarketresearch@yahoo.com
Office Address:
61-65 Egbe- Isolo Road,
Iyana Ejigbo Shopping Arcade,
Block C, Suite 39,
Iyana Ejigbo Bus Stop,
Ejigbo, Lagos.
