The effect of inflation and interest rate on agricultural productivity in nigeria from 2000-2015

Project Abstract

This research project aims to investigate the effect of inflation and interest rates on agricultural productivity in Nigeria from the years 2000 to 2015. Agriculture plays a significant role in the Nigerian economy, employing a large portion of the population and contributing substantially to the country's GDP. However, the sector has been facing challenges such as low productivity, limited access to credit, and inconsistent government policies. Inflation and interest rates are crucial macroeconomic indicators that can significantly impact agricultural productivity. High inflation rates can erode the purchasing power of farmers, making inputs more expensive and reducing overall productivity. Similarly, high-interest rates can limit farmers' access to credit for investment in modern farming techniques, machinery, and inputs, thus hindering productivity growth. Using a combination of quantitative data analysis and econometric modeling, this study will examine the relationship between inflation, interest rates, and agricultural productivity in Nigeria over the specified period. The research will utilize secondary data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics, and other relevant sources. Various agricultural productivity indicators such as crop yield, land productivity, and total factor productivity will be analyzed in relation to inflation and interest rates. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of inflation, interest rates, and agricultural productivity in Nigeria. By understanding how these macroeconomic factors influence agricultural productivity, policymakers can design more effective interventions and policies to support the sector's growth. Improving agricultural productivity is crucial for food security, poverty alleviation, and overall economic development in Nigeria. The research findings will contribute to existing literature on the relationship between macroeconomic variables and agricultural productivity, particularly in the context of a developing country like Nigeria. The study's results will have implications for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, guiding them in making informed decisions to enhance productivity and sustainability. In conclusion, this research project seeks to shed light on the impact of inflation and interest rates on agricultural productivity in Nigeria from 2000 to 2015. By identifying the key determinants of agricultural productivity and their relationship with macroeconomic factors, the study aims to provide valuable insights for improving the performance of the agricultural sector and driving economic growth in Nigeria.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><b>INTRODUCTION</b></p><p><b>1.1 &nbsp; &nbsp; <br></b><b>Background<br>of the study</b></p><p>Inflation has been apparent in Nigeria from the outset<br>of her national life as it was propelled in the 1960s through the “cheap money<br>policy” adopted by the government to stimulate development after independence<br>(Bayo, 2005). Nigeria has experienced all manners of inflationary episodes,<br>from creeping to moderate and from high to galloping (Olubusoye and Oyaromade,<br>2008). Inflationary pressure in Nigeria was largely contained in 2010 and 2011,<br>though the rate remained above the national and the West African Monetary Zone<br>(WAMZ) single-digit inflation rate target (CBN, 2011). However, the 12-month<br>moving average headline inflation rate was 10.8 percent in 2011, compared with<br>13.7 percent at end-December 2010. The agricultural sector is strategic to national<br>economic development and contributes 42.1% of the current GDP (Eleri et al.,<br>2012). It remains a major source of food and raw material for agro-industrial<br>processing and has strong links to employment, national income, market<br>opportunities for industrial production and strong potentials for poverty<br>reduction and health improvement. However, Nigerian agriculture faces<br>tremendous challenges which include the rising food prices amongst others. Food<br>price inflation has risen in recent years because of many factors, on and off<br>farms throughout the world (Oppedahl, 2009). The future direction of world food<br>prices will depend on whether research and development increases agricultural<br>productivity faster than the growth in world food demand. Key sources and features<br>of recent increases of food prices in developing countries have been identified<br>as being the underinvestment in agricultural innovation and rural<br>infrastructure, shift of land and crops towards biofuel feedstocks, natural<br>disasters, high global energy prices, unequal distribution of resources,<br>mismanagement of natural resources, population growth and competition for land<br>and water (Alam and Shahiduzzaman, 2008) Global food prices registered a new<br>high in February 2011, rising by more than 30 percent year-on-year, underpinned<br>by large increases in the prices of cereals, edible oils, and meat (ADB, 2011).<br>While the recent price increases were triggered largely by production<br>shortfalls due to bad weather, structural and cyclical factors that were at<br>play during the 2007–2008, food crisis continue to be relevant, especially in<br>the light of the strong recovery of many emerging economies from the global<br>economic crisis. Inflation is undeniably one of the most leading and dynamic<br>macroeconomic issues confronting most economies of the world and has become a<br>leading topic of discussion in Nigerian families and press as its effects<br>penetrate more deeply into nation’s life due to prevailing increase in prices<br>(Olatunji et al., 2010). The consumer price index for food over the years in<br>Nigeria constituted a larger proportion of the composite consumer price index<br>and as noted by Oppedahl (2009), households in developing countries spend more<br>on food relative to overall spending and therefore, food price inflation had played<br>a bigger role in overall inflation. Despite the critical position of inflation<br>in the macroeconomic environment of Nigeria, research efforts have not hitherto<br>addressed the links between the direction of inflation, agricultural<br>productivity and economic growth over the years in Nigeria and therefore, this<br>study was carried out to the effect of inflation and interest rate on<br>Agricultural productivity in Nigeria from 2000-2015.</p><p><b>1.2<br>STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM</b></p><p>Inflation is undeniably one of the most leading and<br>dynamic macroeconomic issues confronting economy of Nigeria and has become a<br>leading topic of discussion in Nigerian families and press as its effects<br>penetrate more deeply into nation’s life due to prevailing increase in prices<br>(Olatunji et al., 2010). The consumer price index for food over the years in<br>Nigeria constituted a larger proportion of the composite consumer price index<br>and as noted by Oppedahl (2009), households in developing countries spend more<br>on food relative to overall spending and therefore, food price inflation had<br>played a bigger role in overall inflation. That is why the researcher wants to<br>investigate the effect of inflation and interest rate on Agricultural<br>productivity in Nigeria from 2000-2015</p><p><b>1.3<br>OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>The objectives of the study are;</p><p>1. &nbsp; To ascertain<br>the factors that affect agricultural productivity</p><p>2. &nbsp; To<br>ascertain the effect of inflation on Nigeria’s economy</p><p>3. &nbsp; To<br>ascertain the relationship between effect of inflation and agricultural<br>productivity</p><p>4. &nbsp; To<br>ascertain the effect of inflation and interest rate on agricultural<br>productivity in Nigeria from 200-2015</p><p><b>1.4<br>RESEARCH HYPOTHESES</b></p><p>For the successful completion of the study, the<br>following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher; </p><p><b>H0:<br></b>there<br>are no factors that affect agricultural productivity</p><p><b>H1:<br></b>there<br>are factors that affect agricultural productivity</p><p><b>H02:</b>there<br>is no relationship between effect of inflation and agricultural productivity</p><p><b>H2:</b>there<br>is relationship between effect of inflation and agricultural productivity</p><p><b>1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE<br>STUDY</b></p><p>This<br>study will be of significance to students of different higher of learning as it<br>would enlighten them and the entire nation. Finally, this study will also help<br>to serve as literature (reference source) to the public, individuals and<br>corporate bodies into what to carry out on further research on the effect of<br>inflation and interest rate on agricultural productivity in Nigeria.</p><p><b>1.6 SCOPE AND LIMTATION OF<br>THE STUDY</b></p><p>The<br>scope of the study covers the effect of inflation and interest rate on<br>agricultural productivity in Nigeria from 200-2015. The researcher encounters<br>some constrain which limited the scope of the study;</p><p><b>a)<br>AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL:</b><br>The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby<br>limiting the study &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p><b>b) TIME:</b><br>The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the<br>researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the<br>study.</p><p><b>c)<br>Organizational privacy</b>: Limited Access to the selected<br>auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required<br>information concerning the activities. </p><p><b>1.7<br>DEFINITION OF THE TERM</b></p><p><b>INFLATION:<br></b><em>Inflation</em>&nbsp;is defined as a sustained increase in the general level<br>of prices for goods and services in a county, and is measured as an annual<br>percentage change. Under conditions of <em>inflation</em>, the prices<br>of things rise over time. When <em>inflation</em>&nbsp;goes<br>up, there is a decline in the purchasing power of money.</p><p><b>INTEREST RATE: </b><em>Interest rate</em>&nbsp;is<br>the amount charged, expressed as a percentage of principal, by a lender to a<br>borrower for the use of assets. <em>Interest rates</em>&nbsp;are<br>typically noted on an annual basis, known as the annual percentage <em>rate</em>&nbsp;(APR). <em>Interest</em>&nbsp;is<br>essentially a rental, or leasing charge to the borrower, for the asset’s use.</p><p><b>AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY: </b>Agricultural productivity is measured as the ratio ofagricultural outputs to agricultural inputs. While individual products are usually<br>measured by weight, their varying densities make measuring overall agriculturaloutput difficult.</p><p><b>1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>This<br>research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows</p><p>Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which<br>consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of<br>problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the<br>study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical<br>background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on<br>which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three<br>deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four<br>concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of<br>finding. Chapter five gives summary,<br>conclusion, and recommendations made of the study</p> <br><p></p>