REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURAL POLICIES AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF POLICY GAPS FOR BETTER EFFICIENCY

Agricultural subsidy policies play a central role in strengthening food security in developing countries, particularly where smallholder farmers dominate production systems. In Northern Nigeria, several subsidy programmes such as the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) and the Anchor Borrowers’Programme (ABP) were introduced to improve farmers’ access to inputs, enhance productivity, and reduce hunger. However, persistent food insecurity in the region raises concerns about the effectiveness and targeting efficiency of these policies. This study critically reviews government agricultural subsidy policies in Northern Nigeria with the objective of identifying policy gaps and assessing their implications for food security. A qualitative research design was adopted, using secondary data from policy documents, government reports, and academic publications. Findings reveal that although subsidies have improved access to fertilizers and seeds, their overall effectiveness is undermined by corruption, poor targeting, inadequate funding, weak infrastructure, insecurity, and political interference. The study recommends restructuring subsidy frameworks to prioritize transparency, decentralization, digital tracking, and inclusive targeting of smallholder farmers to enhance policy efficiency and promote sustainable food security.