In our last blog post (Sept 22), we explored why ethics matter in agribusiness highlighting how trust, fairness, and integrity form the foundation of profitable and sustainable farming.
Today, let’s take it a step further. Ethics isn’t just theory it plays out in everyday farming and agribusiness decisions. Unfortunately, Nigerian agriculture faces recurring ethical dilemmas that weaken productivity, consumer trust, and global competitiveness.
Here are three major ethical issues we must address:
1️⃣ Adulterated Agro-Inputs
Fake seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals continue to frustrate farmers.
- Case Study: In 2020, the Federal Government shut down a Kano fertilizer company for selling adulterated blends that ruined farmers’ crops (Daily Post).
- Impact: Farmers lose harvests, fall into debt, and Nigeria’s economy suffers. According to the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), counterfeit inputs cost Nigeria over $3 billion annually.
✅ Ethical Response: Agropreneurs must commit to sourcing certified seeds and fertilizers from verified suppliers, and support NASC’s seed verification programs.
2️⃣ Unfair Treatment of Farm Labourers
Behind Nigeria’s booming agriculture are workers—many underpaid, unprotected, or even exploited.
- Case Study: Reports from Fairtrade Africa reveal that cocoa farms in Oyo and Ogun states still grapple with child labour and poor wage practices.
- Impact: This not only traps rural communities in poverty but also disqualifies Nigerian exports from entering premium markets like the EU, which demand strict labour standards.
✅ Ethical Response: Farmers and agribusinesses must introduce fair wages, labour contracts, and safe working conditions. Certification programs like Fairtrade reward ethical producers with premium export prices.
3️⃣ Food Safety Shortcuts in Processing
The rush for profit often tempts processors to cut corners.
- Case Study: In 2018, NAFDAC seized tons of palm oil dyed with Sudan Red IV, a banned carcinogen (Punch).
- Impact: Consumers face health risks, and Nigeria’s image as a reliable agro-exporter is damaged.
✅ Ethical Response: Adopting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, and ISO standards ensures food safety and unlocks access to international markets.
🌍 Why This Matters (A Link to Our Previous Post)
As we emphasized in our previous post, ethics is the currency of agribusiness. Without it, profits are temporary. With it, businesses win trust, sustainability, and global partnerships.
The dilemmas we’ve discussed today fake inputs, poor labour practices, and unsafe food processing are the real-life tests of ethical commitment.
Final Takeaway
Ethics is not an abstract ideal; it is a daily choice. Every time a farmer, input dealer, or processor chooses integrity over shortcuts, they are shaping Nigeria’s future in global agribusiness.
The question remains: Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?
