Analyzing agricultural funding, poverty alleviation, and economic growth in Nigeria: A Focus on the Abuja Federal Ministry of Agriculture

Abstract

Agriculture, pivotal for economic development in many developing countries, serves as a major GDP contributor and employer, driving growth, reducing poverty, and ensuring food security through increased productivity, income generation, and export revenues. This study evaluates the validity of a research instrument used to assess agricultural funding, poverty alleviation, and economic growth in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the Abuja Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The instrument's validity was primarily assessed through content validity, supplemented by face validity involving executives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Abuja Metropolitan chapter. Their feedback prompted adjustments to enhance clarity and reliability. The study employed a stratified random sampling method to select 100 staff members from various departments within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Abuja. Measures to mitigate sampling errors included pre-survey contacts and follow-up interviews post-survey. Data analysis utilized Spearman's rank correlation and included demographic analysis presented through tables and graphs. Findings reveal significant perceptions among respondents regarding agricultural funding's impact on poverty reduction and economic growth in Nigeria. Specifically, a strong positive relationship was found between agricultural funding and both poverty alleviation and economic growth. This research underscores the critical role of adequate agricultural funding in socioeconomic development, highlighting implications for policy and practice within Nigeria's agricultural sector.