Reforms in Nigeria’s agricultural sector offers an opportunity to improve the livelihood of a substantial number of its people living in poverty, and, in turn, have positive effects on the nation as a whole. Despite the potential advantages agriculture possess as a tool to reduce poverty in Nigeria, a large number of Nigerians living in its rural areas who in most cases engage in agricultural activities to earn a living continue to live in poverty. Thus, this research sought to understand the limiting factors that hinder agriculture in Nigeria from effectively challenging poverty. In addition, this research project provided a perspective that centred on the Nigerian rural farmer, the conditions created by the current state of Nigeria’s agricultural sector with attention to rural smallholder farmers and the Nigerian consumer public.

The study adopted a “farmer’s experience” view to identifying the key challenges that require immediate attention for agriculture to more effectively limit the incidences of poverty in Nigeria. Furnished with an understanding of the key challenges of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the study concludes with an exploration of possible steps that can be taken to reposition agriculture in Nigeria to become a more effective tool for reducing rural poverty.