Agricultural Policies, Schemes and Funding: Media Responsibilities to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria
Morka Emmanuel
Department of Mass Communication, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Nigeria.
E. Moemeke, Scholastica
Department of Banking and Finance, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Nigeria.
Nwabudike Fidelis Chike
Department of Mass Communication, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Nigeria.
Praise Nnaji *
Department of Research and Publications, Nnatopraiz Limited, Warri Delta State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Agricultural policies and schemes are some of the measures through which the Nigerian government has attempted to address some of her challenges in the agricultural sector. Despite the MDGs/SDGs programs, Nigeria is still faced with extreme poverty, hunger, and poor education. Nigeria’s budgetary allocation is still far from meeting international recommendations of 25% by FAO. Laudable and well thought out agricultural schemes such as “Operation feed the nation”, “Green Revolution”, “River Basin Development”, “Agricultural Development Project” etc were government policies and schemes geared towards the provision of agricultural solutions. If objectives of the SDGs be realized in the country, issues of corruption, insecurity, proper education, and awareness creation etc., must be addressed by all stake holders ranging from the financial sector, the government as well as the mass media. The media are faced with challenges of news policies, brown envelops, loss of job opportunities etc., while most youths lack awareness and proper education about agricultural schemes and funding in Nigeria.
Keywords: Agriculture, development, Government policies, awareness