Basic Farming  Crops of Nigeria: Corn, Rice, Yams, Cocoa, Peanuts, Cassava and Sorghum  The farming uses about 70% of the country’s labor force  Farms make 80% of the food from 30% of Nigeria’s land  Diverse climate and water supports tropical crops

Peanuts and Cocoa  Nigeria produces 11% of the world’s peanuts  Nigeria had potential to produce large amounts of cocoa but urbanization cut the labor force  Nigeria produces 5% of world’s cocoa when its potential is about 10%  Mostly traded to European nations

Yams  The tuber parts of yams can grow to 2.5 meters and 70kg  Nigeria the largest producer of yams. Producing about 70~76% of the world’s yams  Weeding, planting, staking and harvesting makes the production of yams hard  Expensive but scarce labor force increased its price  Different species from sweet potato New Yam Festival celebrated in August by offering yams to gods and distributing among people  Are planted with sisal rings for moisture

Kola Nuts (Cola)  A common tree in Africa that is bitter and contains caffeine  Were used for Coca – Cola  Some tribes give the nuts to children for protection  Some tribes pass and bite it to wish long life in marriage  Contains high amounts of toxic material

Pictures

Major Food  Puff - Puff: frying a dough mixture into circular balls dipped in sugar  Suya: Pieces of meat spiced up and baked over a grill with vegetables  Fun fun: made by drying cassava and making it into a powder. Then it is mixed into boiling water to a smooth texture

Yam Food  Ojoj o: Water yams are cut up and fried in oil  Asaro: Yams are peeled and cubed and cooked with ground tomatoes, peppers, meat and spices  Amala: Ground and dried the yams and then boiled in water until it has a smooth structure

Questions  Why would yams have become a more delicious luxury instead of an everyday meal?  Why would the foods mostly include boiling in hot waters?  Why might have Nigeria failed to achieve their full potential for cocoa?

Bibliography  "MOTHERLAND NIGERIA: FOODS AND DRINKS (By Boomie O.)." MOTHERLAND NIGERIA (By Boomie O.). 27 Apr  "Agriculture - Nigeria." Encyclopedia of the Nations - Information about countries of the world, United Nations, and World Leaders. 27 Apr  "Cocoa." UNCTAD.ORG >> Home. 27 Apr  "DETERMINANTS OF YAM PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AMONG SMALL-HOLDER FARMERS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA.." Journal of Central European Agriculture Vol 7 (2006) No June Apr  "Yam Festival." A Multicultural Thanksgiving at FamilyCulture.com. 27 Apr  Okorie, Rev. Dr. A. M.. "Igbo Social Life & Customs -- Chiamaka: African Language & Cuture." Chiamaka: African Culture. 27 Apr  "The Best of Everything: The Best Part of The Song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."." The Best of Everything. 27 Apr