A case study of the social and economic impact of structural adjustment on rural agricultural development in middle belt Nigeria, 1995
Oritsejafor, Emmanuel
1990-1999
The premise of this study is the assumption that the IMF policy of structural adjustment has led to the decline of the social and economic welfare of the rural sector in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. With this basic research theme in mind: (i) colonial agricultural development policy in Nigeria before the period of independence was evaluated; (ii) various development plans that have been instrumental in the development of the agricultural sector since independence were analyzed; (iii) the economic management policy of both civilian and military governments in Nigeria were examined; (iv) how SAP led to the proliferation of multinational corporations in the Nigerian agribusiness andthe impact it had on domestic manufacturers engaged in farming for other reasons than farming was shown; and (v) quantitative method was used in an attempt to measure the impact of SAP in Nigeria's Middle Belt region. However, various perceptions exist regarding the policy of structural adjustment. Some observers argue that the policy was necessary in order for developing countries to attain sustainable growth in their economies. Other observers saw structural adjustment as a policy that has further perpetuated the economic hardship in developing states. This paper's position is that certain aspects of structural adjustment have clearly led to the continuous economic hardship and neglect of the rural sector, as shown in this case study of Plateau State. In order to substantiate this thesis, qualitative and quantitative data was assessed regarding the impact of SAP in four communities in the Middle Belt of Nigeria. Primary and secondary data regarding the policy objectives of structural adjustment was reviewed. Findings revealed that clearly certain aspects of SAP had effects on the socio and economic welfare of the rural people in this case study. However, other factors such as the lack of representation at the level of national leadership and ethnicity have contributed to the neglect of the rural sector in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. In conclusion the recommendation is made that the Nigerian leadership need to reprioritize their commitment to the agricultural sector and that rural farmers should be given adequate social and economic assistance.
text
application/pdf
1995-07-01
dissertation
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Clark Atlanta University
Political Science
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1995_oritsejafor_emmanuel
