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• Background of Study

 

From the evolution of human history, it is amply testified that economic development traces its origin to agriculture. All over the world, the development of an enduring economy goes hand in hand with agricultural development. Agriculture is considered a catalyst for the overall development of any nation. According to Ogbalubi And Wokocha (2013, p.60), agriculture is:

A critical sector that drives the economic development and industrialization of a developing nation, and also holds the ace for reducing unemployment. Thus, its development is critically important for ensuring food and nutritional security, income and employment generation and for stimulating industrialization and overall economic development of the country.

The technological strides recorded by the world’s leading economies had their roots in agriculture. Despite the fact that the sector has increasingly shrunk in its contribution to the Gross Domestic product (GDP) of many nations, it still provides the chunk of the GDP of many nations especially the developing ones. (Ogbalubi And Wokocha 2013, p.60)

Development economists have always assigned the agriculture sector a central place in the development process of any nation. In this light, Reddy, Ram, Sastry & Devi (2009, p.585) maintain that “Even the developed countries were basically agriculture in origin and through this sector, they achieved industrial development”. However, the understanding of that role has evolved overtime. Early development theorists emphasized industrialization, though they counted on agriculture to provide the necessary output of food and raw materials, along with the labour force that would gradually be absorbed by industry. Much later thinking moved agriculture more to the forefront of the development process of countries. (Wilber &Jameson, 1992, p.8)

Based on these facts therefore, the importance of the agricultural sector in generating employment and stimulating overall economic development in a developing country such as Nigeria cannot be undermined. Most public policies in Nigeria, especially since independence in 1960, were tailored towards promoting food security, provision of agricultural raw materials needed by the manufacturing sector to provide adequate employment and income to alleviate poverty as well as earn substantial foreign exchange. (www.onlinenigeria.com/agriculture/%)

Regrettably, it is an obvious fact that Nigerian agricultural sector has over the years been neglected by all stakeholders involved, government and the people inclusive. With the discovery of oil in 1957 and its consequent exploration and exploitation from the early 60s, the interest veered towards the ‘fast oil wealth’. Obasanjo (2014) maintains that “neglect became the sheer lot of agriculture and this has brought us to the sad and embarrassing situation of having Nigeria import staple food such as rice and beans”.

If Nigeria commits more resources to agriculture and continues to improve institutional and legal frameworks, it will be in a position not only to feed itself but to export food and to mark a path for the rest of Africa. Interestingly, the present federal government of Nigeria has started taking the agricultural sector seriously. As Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria’s agriculture minister, says, “In Nigeria, we’re making agriculture the new oil (NBF News, 2014).” It is possible if the efforts are sustained. Nigeria’s ministry of agriculture has embarked upon several programmes aimed at achieving this. For instance, Youth Empowerment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) among others. (www.fmard.gov.ng). It is also heart warming to hear President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan reiterating his government’s readiness to revamp agricultural sector as contained in his Nigeria’s 54^th independence speech. According to Mr. President, “we are making giant strides in the agricultural sector which we are re-positioning to diversify our economy” (NTA News, 2014). These are conditions not just for a booming agricultural sector, but also for a big drop in poverty. And that is desperately needed in Nigeria for greater national development.

However, for this to happen, the media have major roles to play. The media have social responsibility and agenda – setting roles to play in terms of conscientization and mobilization of both the government and the governed towards resuscitation of agricultural sector for holistic national development. Mass media diagnose the system and open the pitfalls and offers opportunity to rectify them. They act as mass mobilizer irrespective of space. The media distribute messages wide and fast, where administration can’t reach, mass media touches.

Media are undoubtedly very fast, vast and powerful mode of communication. They do not only appeal a vast audience, they have tremendous impact on the political and economic state of a nation ( Biswal, 2012, p.80).

 

1.2  Statement of the Problem

 

 

No country talks of achieving meaningful national development where majority of its citizens are still wallowing in abject poverty and squalor. Neither does a country dream of recording relatively high level of national development soon when most of its graduates are unemployed, with no serious encouragement for agro industries and agricultural production. Unarguably, agriculture plays important role in the provision of food, employment, industrial raw materials, income and foreign exchange for national development.

 

For a country like Nigeria that craves for development to according, to World Bank Index (2012) have over 70 percent of its citizens live on less than a dollar, then, it is a serious peace threatening issue that demands urgent and pragmatic approach. Visible high rate of crime in form of armed robbery, kidnapping, prostitution, terrorism and other social vices have all been attributed to poverty and lack of development in the country. Moreover, if, despite the huge amount of money Nigeria make from oil sales and this trend over the years remained unabated, no doubt, we must look inwardly more than ever. Today, the situation is worse in the face of rapid fall in oil prices. Therefore, a critical look will reveal the enormous space agriculture occupies in the heart of national development.

 

The media are supposed to contribute in this case by heightening the visibility and mobilising efforts through extensive coverage of agricultural issues. Whether and to what extent the media are doing this constitute the kernel of this study.

 

Hence, this study sought to analyze agribusiness related news covered in Nigeria newspapers 2016-2017. By extension therefore, to gauge how the media are contributing to national development through agricultural news reportage.

 

 

1.3  Objectives of the Study

 

 

Objectives of the study are what the study is set to achieve or the aims and purposes of conducting a research. Osuala (2003, p.34) opines that it remains “a quick overview of the study itself”. Therefore, the following are the objectives of the study.

 

1. To ascertain the direction newspapers take in the reportage of agricultural

 

2. To examine how often (frequency) newspapers cover agricultural

 

3. To determine the extent in terms of depth newspapers report agricultural

 

4. To ascertain the level of prominence given to agricultural news by the selected newspapers.
5. To identify the frames used in newspapers’ coverage of agricultural

 

1.4  Research Questions

 

 

Research questions serve as guide to the researcher in the quest to gather answers to problems being investigated. The research questions for this study therefore, include;

 

1. What is the direction of newspapers’ coverage of agricultural news in Nigeria?

 

2. How often (frequency) do newspapers cover agricultural issues?

 

3. What is the depth of newspapers’ coverage of agricultural news?

 

4. What is the level of prominence given to agricultural news by the selected newspapers?
5. What are the frames used in newspapers’ coverage of agricultural news?

 

 

1.5  Significance of the Study

 

 

This study is hoped to be useful to various segments of the society. It will serve as an addition or contribution to existing literature on the topic and similar ones. It will further serve as a reference material to scholars, journalism students and practitioners who may want to pursue this idea further by providing data to substantiate or refute its claims.

 

There is no doubt that the study will provide government and institutions with insight into the level of press coverage of agricultural news. It will also equip agricultural policy makers with ideas on the successes and failures of their several policies.