Thursday, 16 March 2017

Getting Out of the Nigerian Economic Recession: The Role of Agricultural Sector,



A paper presented at the National Delegates Conference of the Agriculture and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) NDC on Friday 17th February 2017 in Dutse, J
igawa State. by Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, Former Hos, Niger State.
Introduction
When I was invited to deliver a paper on “Nigeria: Agriculture, Oil and the Nigerian Economy: Which  Way Forward” at the NEC Meeting of this great Union on the 3rd of December 2015 in Birnin Kebbi, little did we know  that the Nigerian Economy was going into full recession, even though there were early signs of the recession. These signs included: the falling oil prices in the international market, rising inflation coupled with scarcity of foreign exchange and Naira depreciation, and rising unemployment, as many companies began to close businesses. The foreign reserve was also depleted.
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) defined Recession “as a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in a real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production and wholesale retail sales”. It can also be defined conventionally, “as two consecutive quarters of negative growth of the economy as indicated by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”. GDP is derived as the value of all goods and services available for final uses and export.
The Nigerian Economic recession was formally confirmed by the end of the second quarter of 2016. The first quarter of 2016 posted a negative aggregate GDP of -0.36% followed by second quarter GDP of -2.06% and stood at -2.24% (N26.6 trillion) in nominal terms at basic prices by the end of the third quarter, compared to the third quarter 2015 value of N24.3 trillion.  The Nominal GDP grew by 9.23%. This growth was higher relative to growth recorded in the third quarter of 2015 by 3.22 %. The negative economic growth continued up to the end of 2016. This is against an aggregate GDP of 2.11% recorded by the end of 2015, 6.22% in 2014, 5.49% in 2013, 4.21% in 2012 and 5.3% in 2011. This is considered the worst recession in about 29 years according to NBS.
As a share of the economy, the oil sector accounted for about 8.19 % of total real GDP, down from figures recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 and the preceding quarter of 2016 recorded at 10.27% and 8.26% respectively. The NBS report said the 0.03% growth in the non-oil sector in real terms in the third quarter of 2016, reversed the negative growth.The Non-oil sector largely driven by agriculture, information and commerce and other services contributed 91.81% to the GDP. Out of this Non-oil sector performance, agriculture contributed 28.65%, industries 21.11% and services 50.24%.
Since our focus is on the Agricultural sector, we need to assess the detailed contributions of the sub-sectors that make up the Sector. Out of the contribution of 28.65% to the GDP, 95% share came from the Crops Sub-sector, followed by Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry sub-sectors. The Sector recorded a real growth rate of 4.54% by end of the third quarter of 2016.
What are the major causes of economic recession?
Some of the major causes of recession in an economy generally include: High inflation; high interest rate; fall in aggregate demand, wages and income; accumulation of debt servicing especially foreign debt; mass unemployment and general loss of confidence in government among others. In the case of Nigeria, the current economic recession as many experts have argued, could be attributed to the following:
a)     Fall in oil prices coupled with disruption of crude oil production (from the projected 2.5mb/day to an average of 1.63mb/day by the end of 2016) by the Niger delta militants thereby bringing down the revenue/foreign exchange accruable to government.
b)    High inflation rate currently at over 18%. Agricultural commodities and other essential products prices have been on the increase. The removal of petroleum subsidy had also affected consumer prices. 
c)     High interest rate which was about 27% is considered extremely high for investors. This has exacerbated the already harsh investment climate leading to closure of businesses. This in turn has driven many people out of employment. Unemployment rose from 8.2% by the end of 2015 % to 13.3% in the second quarter of 2016. The new CBN monetary policy has now pegged lending rate to 14%.
d)    High taxation rate: The current tax rates are high considering that the economy is in recession. Both high interest rate and high tax rates have combined to lower the country’s aggregate demand.
e)     Poor economic planning coupled with weak plan implementation.
f)      The different actions (or inactions) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in forestalling recession. Although the Government had taken some steps like the elimination of official dollar purchase for importers of 40 items  such as rice, cement, toothpicks, private planes, poultry, meats, margarine, textiles, soaps etc., there exist round tripping practices. According to Sanusi II, when CBN was selling dollar at official rate of N197, people were buying at N300. The highly placed individuals were putting calls across to the banking industry to get dollar at official rate for resell at parallel market for N300. The implication is that, for every $1 billion taken from the Federation Account and sold by the CBN at N200 to the Dollar, the States were losing N100 billion that could have gone into payment of salaries, development of infrastructure and other social services. Yet, the States were going to borrow from the same Government on a bail-out when the Government was selling dollars cheaply to a small group of people.
g)     The delay and controversies of the 2016 budget.
h)    Nigeria’s over-dependence on foreign products.
i)       Poor saving culture by previous administrations especially during periods of high oil prices.
How do we get out of the Recession?
There have been various recommendations by economists and development experts on how Nigeria could get out of the current recession. They include the following:
i)       Strategic allocation of funds to areas with high multiplier effects that will increase aggregate domestic demand.
ii)  Increase access to Credit by entrepreneurs.
iii)  Reduction in tax rate to individuals and small businesses.
iv) Increase in investment in skills development particularly of youths that can lead to production in strategic sectors.
v)  Increase in agricultural production and manufactured goods for domestic consumption and export.   
However, from the foregoing statistics on the Nigeria’s Economic performance so far, it is very obvious that  the development of the Agricultural Sector will be the panacea to getting us out of the present economic recession and even create a more stable and sustainable economic development. This is supported by the Sector’s contribution to the GDP in 2016 as already stated earlier. Some experts have argued that the fall of oil prices was not responsible for the current recession considering that oil only accounted for 15% of the GDP, and economic recession is measured on the basis of GDP growth.
The Agricultural sector can easily get us out of the current recession and engender future economic stability in the following ways:
Contribution to National Income: The lessons drawn from the economic history of many advanced countries tell us that agricultural prosperity contributed considerably in fostering economic advancement. It is correctly observed that, “The leading industrialized countries of today were once predominantly agricultural while the developing economies still have the dominance of agriculture and it largely contributes to the national income. In India for instance, 28% of national income still comes from this sector despite the country’s level of development.
 Source of Food Supply: Agriculture is the basic source of food supply of all the countries of the World—whether underdeveloped, developing or even developed. Due to heavy pressure of population in underdeveloped and developing countries and its rapid increase, the demand for food is increasing at a fast rate. This and other changing global trends pose food security threats to countries that are food import dependent. Today, Nigeria spends about $ 10 billion annually on importation of agricultural products.  If agriculture fails to meet the rising demand of food products, it is found to affect adversely the growth rate of the economy. Raising supply of food by agricultural sector has, therefore, great importance for economic growth of Nigeria.
Pre-Requisite for Raw Materials: Agricultural advancement is necessary for improving the supply of raw materials for the agro-based industries especially in developing countries. The shortage of agricultural goods has its impact on industrial production and a consequent increase in the general price level. It will impede the growth of the country’s economy. Our rice mills, feed mills, oil processing mills, meat and dairy factories, sugar factories, textile factories, confectioneries, beverages and numerous other industries are based on agricultural products.
Provision of Surplus: The progress in agricultural sector provides surplus for increasing the exports of agricultural products. In the earlier stages of development, an increase in the exports earning is more desirable because of the greater strains on the foreign exchange situation needed for the financing of imports of basic and essential capital goods. Johnson and Mellor are of the opinion that, “In view of the urgent need for enlarged foreign exchange earnings and the lack of alternative opportunities, substantial expansion of agricultural export production is frequently a rational policy even though the World supply—demand situation for a commodity is unfavorable.” Today, Nigeria is faced with foreign currency crisis, because our foreign exchange earnings is dominantly from petroleum.
 Shift of Manpower: Initially, agriculture absorbs a large quantity of labour force. Again, in India about 62% labour is still absorbed in this sector, while in Nigeria it is over 70% of the labour absorbed in the Sector. Agricultural progress permits the shift of manpower from agricultural to non-agricultural sector. In the initial stages, the diversion of labour from agricultural to non-agricultural sector is more important from the point of view of economic development as it eases the burden of surplus labour force over the limited land. Thus, the release of surplus manpower from the agricultural sector is necessary for the progress of agricultural sector and for expanding the non-agricultural sector.
Creation of Infrastructure: The development of agriculture requires roads, market structures, storage facilities, railways, dams/irrigation facilities and many others for an infrastructure creating demand for industrial products and the development of commercial sector.
Relief from Shortage of Capital: The development of agricultural sector has minimized the burden of several developed countries who were facing the shortage of foreign capital. If foreign capital is available with the conditionality attached to it, it will create another significant problem. Agricultural sector requires less capital for its development thus, minimizes growth problem of foreign capital.
Helpful to Reduce Inequality: In a country which is predominantly agricultural and increasing population, there is greater inequality of income between the rural and urban areas of the country. To reduce this inequality of income, it is necessary to accord higher priority to agriculture. The prosperity of agriculture would raise the income of the majority of the rural population and the disparity in income may therefore, be reduced to a greater extent.
 Democratic Stability: If the agricultural sector does not grow at a faster rate, it may result in the growing discontentment amongst the masses which is never healthy for the smooth running of democratic governments. For economic development, it is necessary to minimize political as well as social tensions. In case the majority of the people have to be kindled with the hopes of prosperity, this can be attained with the help of agricultural progress. Thus, development of agriculture sector is also relevant on political and social grounds.
Create Effective Demand: The development of agricultural sector would tend to increase the purchasing power of farmers and agribusinesses which will help the growth of the non-agricultural sector of the country. It will provide a market for increased production. In underdeveloped countries, it is well known that the majority of people depend upon agriculture and it is they who must be able to afford to consume the goods produced. Therefore, it will be helpful in stimulating the growth of the non- agricultural sector. Similarly, improvement in the productivity of cash crops may pave the way for the promotion of exchange economy which may help the growth of non-agricultural sector. Purchase of industrial products such as agro-chemicals (pesticides and herbicides), fertilizers, farm machinery etc. also provide boost to industrial sector.
Helpful in Phasing out Economic Depression: During depression as in this case of Nigeria’s recession, industrial production can be stopped or reduced as is being experienced, but agricultural production continues as it produces basic necessities of life. Otherwise, there will be food crisis of monumental proportion. Thus, it continues to create effective demand even during adverse conditions of the economy thereby creating stability.
Source of Foreign Exchange for the Country: Most of the developing countries of the World are exporters of primary products. These products contribute 60% to 70% of their total export earnings. Therefore, the capacity to import capital goods and machinery for industrial development depends crucially on the export earning of the agricultural sector. If exports of agricultural goods fail to increase at a sufficiently high rate, these countries are forced to incur heavy deficit in the balance of payments resulting in a serious foreign exchange problem. However, primary goods face declining prices in international market and the prospects of increasing export earnings through them are limited. Due to this, large developing countries (having potentialities of industrial development) are trying to diversify their production structure and promote the exports of manufactured goods even though this requires the adoption of protective measures in the initial period of planning. Ehiopia had done it under Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Nigeria can also adopt the same strategy.
Contribution to Capital Formation: Underdeveloped and developing countries need huge amount of capital for their economic development. In the initial stages of economic development, it is agriculture that constitutes a significant source of capital formation. Agricultural sector provides funds for capital formation in many ways as: (i) agricultural taxation, (ii) export of agricultural products, (iii) purchase of agricultural products at low prices by the government and selling them at higher prices. This method is adopted by Russia and China. (iv) transfer of labour and capital from farm to non-farm activities etc.
Employment Opportunities for Rural and Urban Populace: Agriculture provides employment opportunities along the value chain for both rural and urban populace on a large scale in underdeveloped and developing countries. It is an important source of livelihood in the areas of inputs supply, production, bulking/cleaning/grading, marketing, processing& packaging, financial services and insurance.  Farmers are also engaged in other off farm jobs like handicrafts, leather works, pottery etc. to fulfill local demands.
 Improving Rural Welfare: The rural economy can be stimulated based on agriculture and allied occupations in a developing country like Nigeria. The rising agricultural surplus caused by increasing agricultural production and productivity tends to improve social welfare, particularly in rural areas. The living standard of rural masses rises and they start consuming nutritious diet including meat, eggs, milk and fruits. They lead a comfortable life having all modern amenities—a better house, motor-cycle, radio, television and use of better clothes. They can also afford to send their children to school and patronize healthcare facilities. These by themselves can stimulate rural economy and rural welfare.
 Extension of Market for Industrial Output: As a result of agricultural progress, there will be extension of market for industrial products. Increase in agricultural productivity leads to increase in the income of rural population which in turn leads to more demand for industrial products, thus development of industrial sector. According to Dr. Bright Singh, “Increase in agricultural production and the rise in the per-capita income of the rural community, together with the industrialisation and urbanisation, lead to an increased demand in industrial production.” In this way, agricultural sector helps promote economic growth by securing as a supplement to industrial sector.
Key Challenges of Nigerian Agriculture
Despite the enumerated catalytical and crucial role the agricultural sector is expected to play to get the economy out of recession and ensure sustainable economic stability, some of the key challenges affecting the Agricultural sector should immediately be addressed. They include among others:
§  The linkage between agriculture and industry in Nigeria is still very weak.
§  Agricultural policies in Nigeria have not only been inconsistent but they have often been poorly coordinated.
§  Limited access to agricultural financing by farmers due to credit rationing and high interest rate. Concessionary credit support programmes are often marred by abuses.
§  Incentives to invest in agriculture are also undermined by policies regarding land ownership and land tenure.
§  Agricultural productivity has remain low in Nigeria due to low adoption of improved varieties and improved breeds as well low use chemical inputs such as fertilizers and agrochemicals.
§  Limited identification and adoption of appropriate technologies for the downstream agricultural activities.
§  Currently, only 0.7 percent of the nation’s cultivated land is under irrigation, or roughly 220,000 ha. Constraints to continued development of irrigation in Nigeria include: (i) high cost of constructing irrigation infrastructure (ii) poor public management of water resources; and (iii) weak management capacity.
§  Private investment in agriculture is discouraged by infrastructural deficiencies: a national road network that is limited in its coverage and poorly maintained ports and customs facilities that are undersized and overtaxed, an electricity grid that suffers from frequent disruptions, water supply systems of spotty coverage and uncertain reliability, and communication systems that fail to reach many in the population. These deficiencies contribute to high production costs of agricultural outputs and further undermine the profitability of agriculture and discourage export initiatives.
§  The disappointing impact of the research system can be attributed to three main factors:  (i) public research organizations are poorly funded and financially unsustainable; (ii) coordination within the Nigerian agricultural research community is weak, resulting in unnecessary duplication of effort; and (iii) research tends to be supply-driven, with little accountability to end-users. Also, a close collaboration between the academic institutions and the agricultural ministry/institutes in training agricultural professionals is required to enhance manpower development for the sector.
§  Agricultural extension in Nigeria suffers from lack of coordination and duplication of efforts, financial unsustainability and poor accountability to farmers and processors (World Bank 2004). 
§  Incessant conflicts exist between crop and livestock farmers, pastoralists (mainly Fulani nomads) and arable crop farmers, fadama users and non-fadama users.There is also the sustaining threat to security in some regions. Such conflicts disrupt production and discourage private sector investment.
§  Weak legal and regulatory framework for accelerated development of the Agricultural sector. Agricultural policies relating to the enhancement of agricultural competitiveness (biosafety, SPS, Sanitary etc.), provision of necessary agricultural support, and establishment of vital agencies and so on should are not accorded high priority.
§  Nigerian agriculture is under-capitalized and therefore, it has not been possible to transform and diversify opportunities in the sector. Also, Nigeria falls far behind in agricultural expenditure by international standards, especially on account of its level of income as an oil exporting country. Private investment in agriculture, both in primary production as well as processing, is still very low which is primarily attributed to the sector’s low profitability. Other factors contributing to the low level of investment include:   i). an unfavorable business climate ii). Infrastructural deficiencies iii). Limited access to medium and long-term credit iv). Financial policy and natural risks associated with agricultural investments.  
§  The existing institutional arrangement for agricultural development in Nigeria is complex. It involves numerous ministries, agencies, public corporations and companies operating at different levels of governments, sometimes with overlapping responsibilities. Although the system has achieved some success, over the years it has resulted in duplication of efforts, inefficient use of scarce human and financial resources, conflicting interests, and misunderstanding of roles. These erode trusts among various institutions, making and coordination difficult. This complicates project planning, implementation and evaluation and impedes sustainable rural and agricultural development.
§  Weak employment capacity of the active population through education and skills acquisition. Provision of a broad range of business support services to facilitate the setting up agri-businesses by interested individuals is critical especially at the grassroots level for income-generation and poverty reduction.  Agriculture human capital development should involve activities such as investment plans, food safety, grading and quality control & standards, exhibitions, production techniques and marketing strategies along the value chain as well as maintenance of machines and equipment.
§  Environmental problems associated with agriculture are very serious issues. They include: loss of biodiversity, deforestation, flooding and erosion, drought and desertification.
§  Resource limitation has created intense competition for funds among the different sectors of the economy and within the agricultural sector itself. There is also weak inter-sectoral collaboration which has not allowed effective and comprehensive planning, implementation and monitoring.
These challenges are not new, they have been with the sector for a very longtime and far reaching recommendations on how to overcome them well documented. These can be found in the NEEDS document, Vision 2020 report and many other academic reports and journals. However, the most fundamental challenge at the moment is the dismal funding of the Sector despite the wide publicity of governments commitment towards it.This claim can be validated by the 2017 and previous years’ total budgetary allocations to the Sector. 
The 2017 Budgetary Allocation to the Agric. Sector
Although the Federal and State governments have allocated more funds to the Sector in 2017 than 2016, they would be spending less than 2% of their N13.5 trillion total budget. The analysis has shown that the Federal and 30 state governments would spend N254 billion representing 1.8% of the total budgets to agriculture as against N196.3 billion (1.6 %) in 2016. About half of this allocation would go into recurrent costs. The 2017 budgets for agriculture are dismally far from the 2003 AU-Maputo Declarations- the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The CAADP which is an integral part of the New partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. The Maputo Declaration requires African countries to allocate at least 10% of their annual budgets to agriculture and achieve 6% annual growth in agricultural GDP. It’s noteworthy that other African countries who are signatory to CAADP such as Malawi was investing about 27%, Zambia, Burundi and Mali 10%, Niger 13% and Sierra Leone 3% in agriculture.
 Out of the N7.3 trillion Federal Government’s budget, only N123 billion (1.6%) is for agriculture.  Out of this, Salaries and overheads got N31.7 billion and only N91.6 billion is for capital projects. This is consistent with Federal Government’s dismal allocations to the Sector over the years. For instance: 2011 (1.8%), 2012 (1.6%), 2013 (1.7%), 2014 (1.4%), 2015 (0.9%) and 2016 (1.2%).
The 30 States documented so far, will spend N131 billion (2.1%) on agriculture out of their N6.2 trillion 2017 combined budgets. This represents an increase of about N11 billion from last year’s N120.53 billion. It’s instructive that, apart from the states in the Niger Delta region, the remaining states have agriculture as the economic driver. The 19 northern states expenditure on agriculture is shrinking. Out of their combined budgets of N2.4 trillion, the States are spending a paltry sum of N88.4 billion (3.6%) compared to N97.07 billion in 2016 on agriculture. The Southern states total budget for agriculture is N42.2 billion (1.1%) out of their total budgets of N3.8 trillion in 2017.
The zonal analysis shows that; Northwest is spending N43.4 billion out of N1.01 trillion as against N60.18 billion allocated in 2016.The Northeast has allocated N24 billion for agriculture out of its total budgets of N593.1 billion as against N29.62 in 2016. The North Central Zone has budgeted N21.2 billion out of a combined budgets of N781.5 billion as against N7.27 billion in 2016. Out of the South-South region’s cumulative expenditure of N1.8 trillion, only N13.1 billion is earmarked for agriculture as against N10.94 billion in 2016. The South Western states of Lagos, Oyo and Ogun cumulatively budgeted N21 billion for agriculture out of N1.5 trillion total budget. The States of Anambra, Imo and Enugu in the South East have allocated only N9.1 billion for agriculture as against N2.32 billion in 2016. The total budget for the region stands at N581 billion.
Conclusion
It is imperative that we need to urgently deal with the current recession to avoid the economy going into depression by providing every available support to revamp the Agricultural sector. Agriculture will remain the leading sector for now and it has the capacity to regenerate other sectors for the future stability of our economy.
References
1. National Bureau of Statistics (2016): Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report (Expenditure and Income Approach) Q1, Q2. 3-65.
2. National Bureau of Statistics: Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report (2016): Quarter three.  4-41.
3. Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural development (1989). A Perspective Plan for Agricultural Development in Nigeria: 1990-2005, Abuja. 1-194.
4. World Bank (2004). World Development Report. Oxford.
5. Economic Discussion.net (2016): Role of Agriculture in Economic Development. 1-11.
6. Daily Trust Newspaper (2017): FG, States to spend 1.8% of Budgets on Agriculture. 1&5.
7. Matane A. I. (2015): Nigeria: Agriculture, Oil and the Nigerian Economy: Which Way Forward, Birnin Kebbi. 1-18.
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, 14 March 2017

Power Tillers Vs Two Axle Tractors in Mechanize Agriculture. "Bringing a Knife to a Gun Fight"



A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction. Most commonly, the term is used to describe a farm vehicle that provides the power and traction to mechanize agricultural tasks, especially (and originally) tillage, but nowadays a great variety of tasks. Agricultural implements may be towed behind or mounted on the tractor, and the tractor may also provide a source of power if the implement is mechanized.

The classic farm tractor is a simple open vehicle, with two very large driving wheels on an axle below and slightly behind a single seat (the seat and steering wheel consequently are in the center), and the engine in front of the driver, with two steerable wheels below the engine compartment. This basic design has remained unchanged for a number of years, but enclosed cabs are fitted on almost all modern models, for reasons of operator safety and comfort.

One example of agricultural machinery for soil cultivation is part of a two-wheeled tractors or hand tractor (power tiller / hand tractor). Two wheel tractors or hand tractor (power tiller / hand tractor) is a farm machinery that can be used to cultivate the land and others work with the soil processing devices coupled to / mounted on the rear of the machine. This machine has high efficiency, due to the reversal of soil and cutting can be done at the same time. Two-wheel tractor engine is versatile as it can also serve as a driving force for tools other tools such as water pumps, processing equipment, trailer (trailer), and others 

Four-wheel drive tractors began to appear in the 1960s. Some four-wheel drive tractors have the standard "two large, two small" configuration typical of smaller tractors, while some have four large, powered wheels. The larger tractors are typically an articulated, center-hinged design steered by hydraulic cylinders that move the forward power unit while the trailing unit is not steered separately.

In the early 21st century, articulated or non-articulated, steerable multi-track tractors have largely supplanted the Caterpillar type for farm use. Larger types of modern farm tractors include articulated four-wheel or eight-wheel drive units with one or two power units which are hinged in the middle and steered by hydraulic clutches or pumps. A relatively recent development is the replacement of wheels or steel crawler-type tracks with flexible, steel-reinforced rubber tracks, usually powered by hydrostatic or completely hydraulic driving mechanisms. The configuration of these tractors bears little resemblance to the classic farm tractor design.

Power Tiller

Power tiller is walking tractor mostly used for rotary cultivation in puddle soil and can be replace the animal power more effectively and help in increasing demand for human labour. The small and marginal farmers form major user for custom hiring of power tiller. Power tiller is preferred in small land holding farmer for all farm operations like puddling and preparatory tillage. The machine provides opportunities for self employment in rural areas.

Power Tiller Attachments
Power tiller having all attachments likewise a tractor for all farm operation. Power tiller operated attachments are 1.5 ton trolley, five tynes cultivator, reversible mould board plough, spraying, shorter rotary 340 mm, power tiller reaper, power tiller operated generator.

Features:
    Field coverage/day - 1 to 1.25 acres
  • Depth of cut - 20.32 to 25.4cm
  • Width of cut - 15.24 to 22.86cm
  • Depends on soil condition & usages
Tractor (Two Axle)
The most common use of the term "tractor" is for the vehicles used on farms. The farm tractor is used for pulling or pushing agricultural machinery or trailers, for plowing, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, and similar tasks. A variety of specialty farm tractors have been developed for particular uses.

Features:
    Field coverage/day - 10 to 20 acres
  • Depth of cut - 15 to 30cm
  • Width of cut - 18 to 25cm Per Disc (X3)
  • Depends on soil condition & usages
NOTE: This literally means that One Two Axle Tractor (One Operator) is Equivalent to 15 to 20 Power Tillers (15 to 20 Operators).

Taraba State is One of the Largest producers of Farm Produce in the Country, hence the need to mechanize Agriculture in the State with the Use of Modern Agricultural Machines while Power Tillers should be acquired to take care of Small scale Farmers in the Rural Areas.
....My Thoughts: Engr. Daniel Calvin Sati (MNIAE,MASABE,MNSE,Reg.COREN)

Thursday, 9 March 2017

Lists Of 371 Tribes In Nigeria, Which One Is Yours?



Lists Of 371 Tribes In Nigeria, Which One Is Yours? 
 
ARE YOU TRULY A NIGERIAN?
Here is a list over 300 tribes in Nigeria, which one is your?
1 Abayon Cross River

2 Abua (Odual) Rivers

3 Achipa (Achipawa) Kebbi

4 Adim Cross River

5 Adun Cross River

6 Affade Yobe

7 Afizere Plateau

8 Afo Plateau

9 Agbo Cross River

10 Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) Cross River

11 Akweya-Yachi Benue

12 Alago (Arago) Piateau

13 Amo Plateau

14 Anaguta Plateau

15 Anang Akwa lbom

16 Andoni Akwa lbom, Rivers

17 Angas Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau

18 Ankwei Plateau

19 Anyima Cross River

20 Attakar (ataka) Kaduna

21 Auyoka (Auyokawa) Jigawa

22 Awori Lagos, Ogun

23 Ayu Kaduna

24 Babur Adamawa, Bomo, Taraba, Yobe

25 Bachama Adamawa

26 Bachere Cross River

27 Bada Plateau

28 Bade Yobe

29 Bahumono Cross River

30 Bakulung Taraba

31 Bali Taraba

32 Bambora (Bambarawa) Bauchi

33 Bambuko Taraba

34 Banda (Bandawa) Taraba

35 Banka (Bankalawa) Bauchi

36 Banso (Panso) Adamawa

37 Bara (Barawa) Bauchi

38 Barke Bauchi

39 Baruba (Barba) Niger

40 Bashiri (Bashirawa) Plateau

41 Bassa Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Plateau

42 Batta Adamawa

43 Baushi Niger

44 Baya Adamawa

45 Bekwarra Cross River

46 Bele (Buli, Belewa) Bauchi

47 Betso (Bete) Taraba

48 Bette Cross River

49 Bilei Adamawa

50 Bille Adamawa

51 Bina (Binawa) Kaduna

52 Bini Edo

53 Birom Plateau

54 Bobua Taraba

55 Boki (Nki) Cross River

56 Bkkos Plateau

57 Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) Niger

58 Bole (Bolewa) Bauchi, Yobe

59 Botlere Adamawa

60 Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) Bauchi

61 Bomboro Bauchi

62 Buduma Borno, Niger

63 Buji Plateau

64 Buli Bauchi

65 Bunu Kogi

66 Bura Adamawa

67 Burak Bauchi

68 Burma (Burmawa) Plateau

69 Buru Yobe

70 Buta (Butawa) Bauchi

71 Bwall Plateau

72 Bwatiye Adamawa

73 Bwazza Adamawa

74 Challa Plateau

75 Chama (Chamawa Fitilai) Bauchi

76 Chamba Taraba

77 Chamo Bauchi

78 Chibok (Chibbak) Yobe

79 Chinine Borno

80 Chip Plateau

81 Chokobo Plateau

82 Chukkol Taraba

83 Daba Adamawa

84 Dadiya Bauchi

85 Daka Adamawa

86 Dakarkari Niger, Kebbi

87 Danda (Dandawa) Kebbi

88 Dangsa Taraba

89 Daza (Dere, Derewa) Bauchi

90 Degema Rivers

91 Deno (Denawa) Bauchi

92 Dghwede Bomo

93 Diba Taraba

94 Doemak (Dumuk) Plateau

95 Ouguri Bauchi

96 Duka (Dukawa) Kebbi

97 Duma (Dumawa) Bauchi

98 Ebana (Ebani) Rivers

99 Ebirra (lgbirra) Edo, Kogi, Ondo

100 Ebu Edo, Kogi

101 Efik Cross River

102 Egbema Rivers

103 Egede (lgedde) Benue

104 Eggon Plateau

105 Egun (Gu) Lagos,Ogun

106 Ejagham Cross River

107 Ekajuk Cross River

108 Eket Akwa Ibom

109 Ekoi Cross River

110 Engenni (Ngene) Rivers

111 Epie Rivers

112 Esan (Ishan) Edo

113 Etche Rivers

114 Etolu (Etilo) Benue

115 Etsako Edo

116 Etung Cross River

117 Etuno Edo

118 Palli Adamawa

119 Pulani (Pulbe) Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa , Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi , Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, etc.

120 Fyam (Fyem) Plateau

121 Fyer(Fer) Plateau

122 Ga'anda Adamawa

123 Gade Niger

124 Galambi Bauchi

125 Gamergu-Mulgwa Bomo

126 Qanawuri Plateau

127 Gavako Borno

128 Gbedde Kogi

129 Gengle Taraba

130 Geji Bauchi

131 Gera (Gere, Gerawa) Bauchi

132 Geruma (Gerumawa) Plateau

133 Geruma (Gerumawa) Bauchi

134 Gingwak Bauchi

135 Gira Adamawa

136 Gizigz Adamawa

137 Goernai Plateau

138 Gokana (Kana) Rivers

139 Gombi Adamawa

140 Gornun (Gmun) Taraba

141 Gonia Taraba

142 Gubi (Gubawa) Bauchi

143 Gude Adamawa

144 Gudu Adamawa

145 Gure Kaduna

146 Gurmana Niger

147 Gururntum Bauchi

148 Gusu Plateau

149 Gwa (Gurawa) Adamawa

150 Gwamba Adamawa

151 Gwandara Kaduna, Niger, Plateau

152 Gwari (Gbari) Kaduna, Niger, Plateau

153 Gwom Taraba

154 Gwoza (Waha) Bomo

155 Gyem Bauchi

156 Hausa Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna,Kano, Kastina, Kebbi, Niger,Taraba, Sokoto, etc

157 Higi (Hig) Borno, Adamawa

158 Holma Adamawa

159 Hona Adamawa

160 Ibeno Akwa lbom

161 Ibibio Akwa lbom

162 Ichen Adamawa

163 Idoma Benue, Taraba

164 Igalla Kogi

165 lgbo Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi,Enugu, Imo, Rivers

166 ljumu Kogi

167 Ikorn Cross River

168 Irigwe Plateau

169 Isoko Delta

170 lsekiri (Itsekiri) Delta

171 lyala (lyalla) Cross River

172 lzondjo) Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Rivers

173 Jaba Kaduna

174 Jahuna (Jahunawa) Taraba

175 Jaku Bauchi

176 Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa-Dutse) Bauchi

177 Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa) Bauchi, Plateau

178 Jero Taraba

179 Jibu Adamawa

180 Jidda-Abu Plateau

181 Jimbin (Jimbinawa) Bauchi

182 Jirai Adamawa

183 Jonjo (Jenjo) Taraba

184 Jukun Bauchi, Benue,Taraba, Plateau

185 Kaba(Kabawa) Taraba

186 Kadara Taraba

187 Kafanchan Kaduna

188 Kagoro Kaduna

189 Kaje (Kache) Kaduna

190 Kajuru (Kajurawa) Kaduna

191 Kaka Adamawa

192 Kamaku (Karnukawa) Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger

193 Kambari Kebbi, Niger

194 Kambu Adamawa

195 Kamo Bauchi

196 Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa, Borno

197 Kanembu Bomo

198 Kanikon Kaduna

199 Kantana Plateau

200 Kanufi Kaduna, Adamawa, Bomo, Kano,Niger, Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe

201 Karekare (Karaikarai) Bauchi, Yobe

202 Karimjo Taraba

203 Kariya Bauchi

204 Katab (Kataf) Kaduna

205 Kenern (Koenoem) Plateau

206 Kenton Taraba

207 Kiballo (Kiwollo) Kaduna

208 Kilba Adamawa

209 Kirfi (Kirfawa) Bauchi

210 Koma Taraba

211 Kona Taraba

212 Koro (Kwaro) Kaduna, Niger

213 Kubi (Kubawa) Bauchi

214 Kudachano (Kudawa) Bauchi

215 Kugama Taraba

216 Kulere (Kaler) Plateau

217 Kunini Taraba

218 Kurama Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau

219 Kurdul Adamawa

220 Kushi Bauchi

221 Kuteb Taraba

222 Kutin Taraba

223 Kwalla Plateau

224 Kwami (Kwom) Bauchi

225 Kwanchi Taraba

226 Kwanka (Kwankwa) Bauchi, Plateau

227 Kwaro Plateau

228 Kwato Plateau

229 Kyenga (Kengawa) Sokoto

230 Laaru (Larawa) Niger

231 Lakka Adamawa

232 Lala Adamawa

233 Lama Taraba

234 Lamja Taraba

235 Lau Taraba

236 Ubbo Adamawa

237 Limono Bauchi, Plateau

238 Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa) Niger

239 Longuda (Lunguda) Adamawa, Bauchi

240 Mabo Plateau

241 Mada Kaduna, Plateau

242 Mama Plateau

243 Mambilla Adamawa

244 Manchok Kaduna

245 Mandara (Wandala) Bomo

246 Manga (Mangawa) Yobe

247 Margi (Marghi) Adamawa, Bomo

248 Matakarn Adamawa

249 Mbembe Cross River, Enugu

250 Mbol Adamawa

251 Mbube Cross River

252 Mbula Adamawa

253 Mbum Taraba

254 Memyang (Meryan) Plateau

255 Miango Plateau

256 Miligili (Migili) Plateau

257 Miya (Miyawa) Bauchi

258 Mobber Bomo

259 Montol Plateau

260 Moruwa (Moro'a, Morwa) Kaduna

261 Muchaila Adamawa

262 Mumuye Taraba

263 Mundang Adamawa

264 Munga (Mupang) Plateau

265 Mushere Plateau

266 Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) Plateau

267 Ndoro Taraba

268 Ngamo Bauchi, Yobe

269 Ngizim Yobe

270 Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang) Adamawa, Borno

271 Ningi (Ningawa) Bauchi

272 Ninzam (Ninzo) Kaduna, Plateau

273 Njayi Adamawa

274 Nkim Cross River

275 Nkum Cross River

276 Nokere (Nakere) Plateau

277 Nunku Kaduna, Plateau

278 Nupe Niger

279 Nyandang Taraba

280 Ododop Cross River

281 Ogori Kwara

282 Okobo (Okkobor) Akwa lbom

283 Okpamheri Edo

284 Olulumo Cross River

285 Oron Akwa lbom

286 Owan Edo

287 Owe Kwara

288 Oworo Kwara

289 Pa'a (Pa'awa Afawa) Bauchi

290 Pai Plateau

291 Panyam Taraba

292 Pero Bauchi

293 Pire Adamawa

294 Pkanzom Taraba

295 Poll Taraba

296 Polchi Habe Bauchi

297 Pongo (Pongu) Niger

298 Potopo Taraba

299 Pyapun (Piapung) Plateau

300 Qua Cross River

301 Rebina (Rebinawa) Bauchi

302 Reshe Kebbi, Niger

303 Rindire (Rendre) Plateau

304 Rishuwa Kaduna

305 Ron Piateau

306 Rubu Niger

307 Rukuba Plateau

308 Rumada Kaduna

309 Rumaya Kaduna

310 Sakbe Taraba

311 Sanga Bauchi

312 Sate Taraba

313 Saya (Sayawa Za'ar) Bauchi

314 Segidi (Sigidawa) Bauchi

315 Shanga (Shangawa) Sokoto

316 Shangawa (Shangau) Plateau

317 Shan-Shan Plateau

318 Shira (Shirawa) Kano

319 Shomo Taraba

320 Shuwa Adamawa, Borno

321 Sikdi Plateau

322 Siri (Sirawa) Bauchi

323 Srubu (Surubu) Kaduna

324 Sukur Adamawa

325 Sura Plateau

326 Tangale Bauchi

327 Tarok Plateau, Taraba

328 Teme Adamawa

329 Tera (Terawa) Bauchi, Bomo

330 Teshena (Teshenawa) Kano

331 Tigon Adamawa

332 Tikar Taraba

333 Tiv Benue, Plateau, Taraba

334 Tula Bauchi

335 Tur Adamawa

336 Ufia Benue

337 Ukelle Cross River

338 Ukwani (Kwale) Delta

339 Uncinda Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto

340 Uneme (Ineme) Edo

341 Ura (Ula) Niger

342 Urhobo Delta

343 Utonkong Benue

344 Uyanga Cross River

345 Vemgo Adamawa

346 Verre Adamawa

347 Vommi Taraba

348 Wagga Adamawa

349 Waja Bauchi

350 Waka Taraba

351 Warja (Warja) Jigawa

352 Warji Bauchi

353 Wula Adamawa

354 Wurbo Adamawa

355 Wurkun Taraba

356 Yache Cross River

357 Yagba Kwara

358 Yakurr (Yako) Cross River

359 Yalla Benue

360 Yandang Taraba

361 Yergan (Yergum) Plateau

362 Yoruba Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi

363 Yott Taraba

364 Yumu Niger

365 Yungur Adamawa

366 Yuom Plateau

367 Zabara Niger

368 Zaranda Bauchi

369 Zarma (Zarmawa) Kebbi

370 Zayam (Zeam) Bauchi

371 Zul (Zulawa) Bauchi