Agriculture has been a mainstay of the Nigerian economy before and after independence. The sector has been the foundation of economic development in Nigeria. In a developing country like Nigeria, more than 70 per cent of the population live in rural areas and depends on agriculture.
Farmers in affected areas lack access to machinery powered by electricity. Energy poverty, the lack of access to modern, reliable, and affordable energy, is a significant issue in many developing countries, and Nigeria is no exception.
In a nation where agriculture plays a central role in the economy, energy poverty severely affects agricultural productivity, economic stability, food security, and rural development. With an overwhelming majority of Nigerian farmers relying on traditional methods and struggling with inadequate access to energy, the impact of energy poverty is both profound and wide-reaching.
Impact on Agricultural Productivity
In Nigeria, agriculture is a primary sector that employs over 60 per cent of the workforce and contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP. However, many agricultural practices in the country are still heavily reliant on manual labour and traditional farming methods.
These practices are inefficient and result in lower yields, especially when compared to regions that have embraced modern, energy-efficient technologies. Access to reliable energy is crucial for modernising agricultural production in Nigeria.
Energy-powered irrigation systems, for example, are essential in areas where rainfall is erratic or insufficient. In the absence of affordable energy, farmers are forced to rely on less efficient, labour-intensive irrigation methods, such as manual watering or traditional water channels.
As a result, crop yields are inconsistent, and the risks of crop failure due to inadequate water supply are higher. For instance, farmers in northern Nigeria, who rely on irrigation for growing crops like tomatoes, maize, and rice, struggle without access to reliable energy-powered irrigation systems, leading to lower agricultural output.
In addition to irrigation, energy is necessary for the mechanization of farming. Tractors, harvesters, and other machines powered by energy sources can significantly increase the efficiency of farming operations.
However, the widespread lack of access to electricity or affordable fuel in rural Nigeria limits the use of such machinery. Farmers are often compelled to use outdated, manual farming tools, which not only slow down production but also increase the cost of labour.
The absence of mechanized farming is one of the key reasons why Nigeria’s agricultural sector lags behind that of other nations in terms of productivity.
Increased Operational Costs and Economic Burden
Energy poverty drives up the operational costs of farming in Nigeria. In rural areas, where access to electricity is limited or unavailable, farmers often have to rely on expensive alternatives such as diesel generators, kerosene, or even biomass (wood and charcoal).
These energy sources are not only costly but also less efficient, adding to the financial burden of farmers. For instance, in order to power irrigation pumps or processing machines, many farmers in Nigeria resort to using diesel-powered generators, which come with high fuel costs.
Diesel, in particular, is costly and prone to price fluctuations, making it difficult for farmers to predict their operational costs. Moreover, unreliable electricity supply means that farmers often need to maintain backup power sources, further increasing expenses.
This situation worsens the financial struggles of smallholder farmers, who already face challenges such as limited access to credit, poor infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices. The high cost of energy further limits their ability to invest in productive assets, such as better seeds, fertilizers, or advanced farming tools. As a result, many farmers are stuck in a cycle of poverty, unable to improve their productivity or achieve higher income levels.
Food Security Implications
Energy is a critical factor in ensuring food security in any country, and its lack can undermine food systems in Nigeria. Food security in Nigeria is a growing concern, with the country facing challenges such as hunger, malnutrition, and an over-reliance on imported food.
Energy is essential in the storage, processing, and transportation of food. In particular, refrigeration and cold storage are vital to preventing food waste, especially in a tropical climate where perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products spoil quickly without proper storage.
However, energy poverty limits the ability to store food for longer periods. Without modern refrigeration systems powered by reliable electricity, a significant proportion of harvested crops in Nigeria go to waste before they can reach markets or consumers.
For example, fresh produce like tomatoes and yams often spoil during transport due to inadequate refrigeration, leading to huge financial losses for farmers and traders. Additionally, food processing, which adds value to raw agricultural products, relies heavily on energy.
In Nigeria, the lack of reliable power means that local processing facilities cannot function at full capacity, leaving farmers with limited options to process or preserve their products. This forces many to sell raw produce at lower prices, diminishing their profits.
For instance, cassava, a staple crop in Nigeria, can be processed into various products such as garri or starch. However, due to energy challenges, many farmers are unable to process their crops efficiently, resulting in low-value sales and high post-harvest losses.
Environmental and Sustainability Challenges
In Nigeria, energy poverty also leads to environmental degradation. With limited access to electricity, many farmers and rural households rely on biomass—wood, charcoal, and crop residues—as their primary energy sources for cooking, heating, and processing. This heavy reliance on biomass contributes to deforestation, soil erosion, and the depletion of natural resources.
For example, farmers in Nigeria often use firewood to dry their crops or to cook meals. This unsustainable practice contributes to the depletion of forests, which in turn reduces the availability of fertile soil and increases vulnerability to climate change.
Deforestation exacerbates soil erosion, which diminishes land productivity, making it harder for farmers to sustain their livelihoods over the long term. Additionally, energy poverty limits the ability of farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices, such as using solar-powered irrigation systems or efficient energy-saving technologies.
Without reliable access to energy, farmers are less able to implement practices that could help mitigate climate change and conserve natural resources. This creates a vicious cycle where the lack of energy exacerbates environmental degradation, which in turn harms agricultural productivity.
Social Implications and Rural Development
Energy poverty disproportionately affects women, who play a significant role in agriculture in Nigeria. Women are primarily responsible for food production, processing, and household chores, including cooking and fetching water.
The lack of energy access places an additional burden on women, forcing them to spend more time on labour-intensive tasks such as collecting firewood or manually processing food. This time-consuming work limits their ability to engage in other productive activities, such as income generation or education.
Furthermore, energy poverty hinders rural development in Nigeria. Agriculture is the primary source of income for rural communities, yet without reliable energy, these communities cannot develop the infrastructure needed to improve living standards or attract investment.
As a result, many rural areas remain isolated from the benefits of economic development, perpetuating poverty and social inequality.
Conclusion
Energy poverty in Nigeria has far-reaching consequences for the agriculture sector, affecting everything from productivity and economic outcomes to food security and environmental sustainability. The absence of reliable, affordable, and modern energy sources impedes the ability of Nigerian farmers to increase yields, reduce costs, and compete in the market.
It also exacerbates food insecurity, contributes to environmental degradation, and stifles rural development. To address these challenges, the Nigerian government and stakeholders in the agricultural sector must prioritise expanding energy access, particularly through renewable energy solutions, to foster a more productive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural system.
By improving energy access, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector, enhance food security, and drive economic development.