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The importance of Agriculture to us and to our country cannot be overemphasized. By Agriculture, we mean the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals for the benefit of man or for the sustenance of humanity.
Therefore, this article reflects on various ways in which farmers and other people who engage in farming activities can earn money from Agriculture to become economically empowered.
Before going into the main topic, we must first consider the different ways in which agriculture has helped – its importance for our community and national development.
BENEFITS OF AGRICULTURE
These benefits extend from individual to the entire nation. In Nigeria, over seventy percent (70%) of those who live in rural communities are farmers or engage in agriculture-related activities as their main stay.
This practice dates back to history and has always been beneficial. The settlement of early humans in villages was based on primitive agriculture.
Also, agriculture promotes civilization, help in fighting hunger, and assist in tackling problems associated to population growth as well as climatic changes.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Agriculture produces a wide variety of products for man’s direct or indirect consumption. These products are useful in the areas of Food production, Production of clothing and materials for shelter, serves as help to industry, as Sources of revenue, Provision of jobs etc
Agricultural products are also used in traditional ceremonies (the socio-cultural activities of our communities) such as marriage, village festivals, funeral and naming ceremonies. For example, the slaughtering of rams during Ramadan festival by the Muslims, kolanuts and bitter kola being used in traditional marriage ceremonies etc.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH AGRICULTURE
At this stage, we can now discuss five ways in which Agriculture encourages or serves as an instrument of economic empowerment.
- The Act of Farming
Farmers who grow crops and rear livestock will have a lot of agricultural produce. The amount of produce is dependent on the purpose of the farm – either subsistence or commercial, the former being for his personal consumption and that of his immediate family while the latter is primarily for the purpose of selling to make money.
In this case, the farmer and his family are empowered.
- Employment on the farm
Farmers who own large farms cannot perform all the farming activities alone, therefore there will be a need to employ farm laborers. By working on the farm, these laborers earn money which enables them provide their needs and cater for their families.
Hence, Agriculture provides employment opportunities, thus leading to the growth of the community, because the stability of the economy is dependent on the ability to keep a low unemployment rate (that is, employment sustains economic growth).
In this case, the community is empowered.
- Supporting Manufacturing Industries
Through agriculture, many materials are produced (raw materials) which are in turn, used by industries to manufacture several useful things (finished goods).
For example, cotton (an agricultural product) is used in the textile industry for manufacturing clothes; cocoa for beverages; wood for furniture; animal skin for leather production and palm oil for making margarine.
These industries could employ many workers too, thus alleviating poverty and reducing the problems of unemployment.
- Supporting Trade
The increase in agricultural activities and production is believed to have influenced markets to produce various items in large quantities. Products from factories and farms are sold to distributors who sell the products to shops and markets.
A lot of people depend on selling and buying (or exchange) of agricultural products as a means of living or for survival. Nowadays, online marketing is commonly practiced.
- Support for the Government
Through trading activities and taxation, agriculture becomes a source of revenue and foreign exchange. Such taxes paid is channeled to the development of the country – for road construction, infrastructural development etc. These basic amenities will help improve the standard of living.
With this, it also prevents the problems associated with increased importation of goods such as erosion of domestic market and national economies.
In conclusion, we have been able to see how agriculture is an essential means of economic empowerment beginning from individuals then to the globe.
Thanks for reading.