Impact of Fiscal Policy Instruments’ Dynamics on Resource Sustainability in Nigeria

Abstract

This research examined the impact of fiscal policy instruments on agricultural resources sustainability in Nigeria for the period 1980-2018. Specifically the study examined the causal relationship between fiscal policy instruments and resource sustainability; analyzed the instantaneous and compound growth rate of government expenditure, debt policy instruments and agricultural resources sustainability and; examined the impact of government expenditure and debt policy instrument on resource sustainability. Data were obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistics Data Base: and Food and Agriculture Organization Statistical data (FAOSTATS). From the findings, there exist a unidirectional relationship (P<0.05) from government expenditure and debt to resource sustainability index. Government expenditure and debt instruments had instantaneous and compound growth rate (P<0.05) of 7.62%, 7.92% and 1.23% and 1.24% respectively. The instantaneous growth rate for forest resources (P<0.05), arable land (P<0.05) and human capital (P<0.05) were -1.57%, 0.33% and -1.93% with a compound rate of growth of -1.58%, 0.34% and -1.93%, -1.95% respectively. Government expenditure policy instruments yielded significantly (P<0.05) positive impacts of 0.37% while increased debt profile significantly (P<0.05) decreases sustainability index by -0.27%. Thus, fiscal policy instruments dynamics is essential for the attainment of inter-temporal efficiency of resources, hence sustainability. It was recommended that non- sustainable activities such as land degradation, deforestation and human capital depletion driven by unfavorable policies needs to be reappraised.