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Module 1: Foundations of Modern Agriculture

Learning Objectives
  • Explain why agriculture matters to African economies and livelihoods
  • Distinguish subsistence farming from commercial agriculture
  • Identify the main branches of agriculture: crop, livestock, and mixed farming

Agriculture remains one of the largest employers across Sub-Saharan Africa, with smallholder farmers producing an estimated 80% of the region's food supply. In Nigeria, agriculture contributes roughly a quarter of GDP and supports the livelihoods of tens of millions of rural households. Farming systems range from subsistence agriculture, grown mainly for household consumption, to commercial agriculture, produced at scale for local and export markets. Understanding where you or your community sit on this spectrum is the first step to deciding whether to farm for food security, income, or both.

Module Quiz

1. Subsistence farming is best defined as:

2. Which statement best describes the current state of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa?