Conservation Agriculture: A Nigerian Synthesis and Mitigation Measures

Intensive agriculture, poor soil management practices by farmers and other soil users, and overgrazing aggravates soil degradation; such that commonly resulting visible indices of degradation is soil erosion (by wind and water) and reduced crop yields. The negative impact of soil degradation due to inappropriate land management is very apparent in Africa and Nigeria in particular; with severe economic, social and environmental effect on the populace. In order to mitigate effects of soil degradation by restoring soils quality and fertility to enhance farmer livelihoods and food security, Conservation Agriculture strategies are advocated for Nigerian agriculture. Conservation Agriculture is a concept for natural resource-saving, strives to achieve acceptable profits with high and sustained production levels while concurrently conserving the environment. In the humid zones of Nigeria, intensive cultivation of available land using modern farming equipment increased soil disturbance and removal of soil cover to accelerate soil erosion. In particular, slopping lands that would not normally be put into regular cultivation are being intensively cultivated for crops like yam, cassava, maize

Autorentext

Professor Azubuike Chidowe ODUNZE holds B. Agric (Soil Science) degree from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, M.Sc. and PhD degrees in Soil Science from Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria, Nigeria. His interest is in evaluating soils for their properties, potentials, conserving and improving the natural resource base for sustainability.