AGRICULTURAL FARM FOODS AND THEIR LOCATION IN NIGERIA AND RELATED INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria is a nation abundantly blessed with agricultural resources and vast agricultural products. From the North to the South, East to the West of Nigeria, there are abundant varieties of agricultural products and resources that are found to grow and suitable for cultivation in the soils in the regions and states. In the words and lyric of the aesthetic and consummate photographer, song writer and Musician; TY Bello, “The land is truly green”. Before the oil discovery and oil boom era in Nigeria, agriculture accounted for more than 90% of the common wealth and resources of Nigeria; with the country being sufficient in food production and made wealthy by agricultural exports. Unfortunately, more than 50 years after independence and the discovery of oil in Nigeria, agriculture has been relegated to the background, statistics turned and the lands deserted. Today Nigeria cannot produce enough food and agric products to feed itself, thereby spending billions of dollars and trillions of naira in food imports to make up for the deficit in food production back home. On the export map, we have also fast taken the back position in the statistics of leading food exporters in the world.

 

 

AGRICULTURAL FARM FOODS AND THEIR LOCATION IN NIGERIA AND RELATED INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA

1.     Guinea Corn

Guinea Corn also known Sorghum is one of the major agricultural food crops grown in Nigeria. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria is the second major producer of Sorghum in the world after the United States. In the 2012/2013 season, about 5.9 million tons of Guinea Corn was produced in Nigeria. The major states producing Sorghum are located in the Northern part of the country. These states include: Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina and Bauchi.

2.     Millet

Millet is one of the most cultivated food crops in Northern Nigeria. In 1990, Nigeria produced about 5.1 million tons of Millet, making it the third leading producer of Millet in the world. Coming to 2014, the number has reduced drastically as Nigeria was only producing 1.3 million tons, making them slip down the ranking to the fifth position. Millet is grown majorly in states like Bomb, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi, Abuja, Benue, Kaduna, Niger and Plateau states respectively.

3.     Maize (Corn)

The importance of Maize in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. It is either ooked, roasted or processed into variety of foods. Nigeria is said to be the largest producer of Maize in Africa and third largest in the world after the United States and Mexico. Nigeria accounts for 7.7% of the total Maize production in the world. This cereal crop is produced in virtually all the states of the federation. The leading producers however are Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, Plateau and Adamawa states respectively.

4.     Rice

The list of food crops cultivated in Nigeria will not be complete without rice. This cereal is one of the most loved and cherished food crop in Nigeria. Interestingly, Nigeria is the largest producer of rice in West Africa. On the other hand, the amount cultivated by the Nigerian farmers cannot meet the local demand. Thus, leading to it importation. Virtually, rice is cultivated in all the states in Nigeria. However, the main areas of rice cultivation in the country include the middle belt and Northern states of Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Niger and Taraba. Rice is also grown in the South Eastern states of Enugu, Cross River and Ebonyi.

5.     Cowpea (Beans)

This legume crop is one of the major agricultural crops Nigeria is known for. Nigeria is said to be the largest producer and consumer of beans in the world, producing 2.2 million metric tons of dried grain in 2010. Nigeria is said to be the largest producer and consumer of beans in the world, producing 2.2 million metric tons of dried grain in 2010. Beans is produced more in Borno state, Zamfara state, Sokoto state, Kano, Gombe and Yobe states respectively.

6.     Yam

Next on the list is Yam. It is the favorite of many because of the famous ‘pound yam’ and other delicacies prepared for it. Yam is cultivated in large quantities in Nigeria. In fact, data made available by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) shows that Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of yam. In 1985, Nigeria produced 18.3 million tonnes of yam. This number increased to 32.318 million metric tonnes, making it still retains its spot as the largest producer. The major agricultural state in Nigeria in terms of yam farming is Benue. Other yam producing states are Adamawa state, Cross River state, Delta state, Edo state, Ekiti state, 1mb state, Kaduna state, Kwara state, Ogun state, Ondo state, Osun state, Oyo state, and Plateau state.

7.     RICE

The list of food crops cultivated in Nigeria will not be complete without rice. This cereal is one of the most loved and cherished food crop in Nigeria.  Interestingly, Nigeria is the largest producer of rice in West Africa. On the other hand, the amount cultivated by the Nigerian farmers cannot meet the local demand. Thus, leading to it importation.  Virtually, rice is cultivated in all the states in Nigeria.  However, the main areas of rice cultivation in the country include the middle belt and Northern states of Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Niger and Taraba. Rice is also grown in the South Eastern states of Enugu, Cross River and Ebonyi.

8.     SESAME (BEN ISEED)

Nigeria is the third producers of sesame in Nigeria, directly behind India and China. A large proportion of this crop produced is shipped out of the country.  17 states and the FCT in Nigeria are the main producers in the country. These states include: Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Abuja with Nasara being the largest producer of Sesame in Nigeria producing about 40 metric tonnes in a year.

9.     SOYBEANS

Soybean was first introduced to Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria in 1908. Currently, Nigeria is the largest producer of the crop for human and livestock feeds in West and Central Africa. Soya beans are mostly produced in the middle belt with Benue state accounting for over 70% of the production in Nigeria. Some the state that majority producers of soybeans are; Kawra, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Niger and Bauchi.

10.  POTATOES

The list of food crops in Nigeria is not complete without sweet potatoes. This agricultural tuber had won the heart of many across the age groups Nigeria has.  The cash crop is grown majorly in the agricultural Northern states of Nigeria like Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Benue, Plateau and Kano.  Sweet potatoes are also grown in substantial amount in Anambra. Other states also farm this crop.

11.  GROUNDNUT

Groundnut (Peanut) is one crop in Nigeria that its importance cannot be overemphasized, it is classified both as a grain legume and an oil crop.  Nigeria is the world’s third largest producer of groundnut in the world, directly behind China and the United States. In 2014, Nigeria produced about 3.4 million tonnes of groundnut.  The states responsible for this production of groundnut in Nigeria are the northern states in Nigeria, they include Niger, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara,Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna,

12.  CASSAVA

The popular staple food Garri (cassava flakes or whatever you call it) is made from cassava. This agricultural tuber crop is so popular in Nigeria that hardly would you hear or even see someone that have not come in contact with it or even heard of it. Interestingly, Nigeria is the largest producer of it. The major producing areas are Benue, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Cross River, Kaduna, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Taraba.

 

 

 

13.  COCOYAM

Cocoyam is one of the major root tubers produced in large quantities in Nigeria.  In fact, the largest producer of cocoyam in the world today is Nigeria. Cocoyam is grown/cultivated in almost all the states of the country. The top cocoyam producers are Imo, Anambra, Kaduna, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Oyo, Plateau, Katsina, Edo, Always Ibom and Cross River state.

14.  GINGER
Kaduna State stands as the highest producer of the crop while states like Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, Nassarawa are major producers.

15.  HIBISCUS
The main areas of production in Nigeria are Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi states. Also produced in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Borno states.

16.  CASHEW
Enugu, Oyo, Anambra, Kogi, Osun, Abia, Ondo, Benue, Cross River, Imo, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Kwara and Nassarawa.

17.  SUGAR CANE

Some of the states where sugar cane can be produced in Nigeria include Sokoto, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and most northern states.

18.  TOMATO
While tomatoes are cultivated in most states in the country, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kano lead the pack in the commercial cultivation of the crop.

19.  PLANTAIN
Plantain is produced in the following states in Nigeria Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Oshun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Bayelsa, Abia and Ebonyi.

 RELATED INDUSTRIES AND THEIR FULL ADDRESSES

20.  OIL PALM

The main oil palm producing states are: Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Delta, Bayelsa, Ogun, Rivers, Anambra, Ondo, Enugu, Imo, Oyo, Abia, Edo, and Ogun.

Envoy Oil Industries Ltd

Palm Oil

2 Eziachi Street/53 Obodoukwu Road, off Atani Road, Onitsha, Anambra

State Nigeria Envoy Oil Industries Limited produces vegetable oils such as palm stearine, RBD palm oil, palm olein and soybean oil.

21.  OCOS FOODS

No 3 Market Road, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt

OCOS FOODS:  are food processing company that produces ocos palm oil, vegetable oil and food packaging.

22.  HONEYWELL FLOUR MILLS  INDUSTRY

Wheat: 2nd Gate Byepass Np Plc Premises Tincan Island, Apapa, Lagos Nigeria Honeywell Flour Mills Limited is food manufacturing industry that specialises on wheat meals cereals, noodles and pasta.

23.  LASHONE LIK FARMS

411b, Omofade Crescent, Omole, Lagos, Lagos : Lashone links Farm carries one business of agro allied services, agro allied products, agriculture produce, food farming, poultry farming, animal production, and as arable and fruit farmers, milers, manufacturers or cereal products & agro allied products.

24.  LOVESTRUCK CAKES AND GIFTS

No. 5, S Close, 21 road. Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos State Love Struck:  is a luxury and celebrative brand. Currently serving Lagos metropolis and other Nigerian cities, we are differentiated from the rest by our special signature flavors, designs and unique service delivery.

25.  SONA AGRO ALIED FOOD

1 Km, Ijoko Road, Sango Ota, Ogun State Nigeria

Sona Agro:  Allied Food manufactures a wide range of soft and hard dough biscuit varieties such as cream wafers, malt biscuits, mlk biscuits, glucose biscuits, cream cracker, cabin.

26.  SONIA INDUSTRIES

Km 39, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Ibafo, Ogun State Nigeria

Sonia Industries is a leader in the manufacturing of tomato paste in Nigeria

and related products such magarine, seasoning cube, baking powder, yeast,

dough improver and preservative, Vitasoy milk drink and Vitamax cereal

drink.

27.  UAC FOODS (gala sausage production)

KM 16, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos. This Nigeria service food company are the manufacturers of gala sausage rolls.

28.  UNILEVER NIGERIA FOOD BRAND NIGERIA

1, Billingsway, Oregun, Lagos Nigeria Unilever Nigeria is one of the leading food companies in the country with various brands like Knorr, Lifebuoy, Omo, Royco, Blue band, Geisha and others.

29.  MICHGA FOODS NIGERIA LTD

 Unit C2 Technology Incubation Centre Off David Mark Road, Minna, Niger Nigeria Michga Foods Nigeria LTD is a food processing company that is basically into processing of crops like yams, maize, cassava and processing of rice into flour.

30.  WANDY FOODS

No 1 Oba Ogunji Road Agege Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos Nigeria Wanyfoods is a food processing company that processes plantain flour, bean flour, whole wheat flour, chili pepper and others.

REFERENCES

African Encyclopedia, AFRICAN ENCYCLOPEDIA for Schools and Colleges. Oxford University Press, London. Pp1-554. 1974.

A. D. Agbo, Post harvest losses: Making Nigerian farmers poorer. An AGRICULTURE analysis report. Nigerian Daily Trust Newspaper, Thursday, November 21, 2013. Pp45. 2013.

Indochina countries: farm and household perspectives on povertyalleviation. Shanhua, Taiwan: Asian Vegetable

Research and Development Center. p. 31-73.

Adeyemi, S.A.O. and P.O. Ogazi. 1983. “Fruit and Vegetable Processing”. A Seminar Presented on Agro-based.