Sustainable agriculture in Nigeria has become a key area of focus not just in Nigeria but also in our world. The reason for this is not far-fetched. Food is important!. Food is a basic need we can’t do without, and that explains why agriculture remains a key sector for human survival. Recently there has been tremendous concern about the health /state of our environment coupled with the ever-increasing issue related to climate change.
It has proven agriculture contributes hugely to these environmental issues. These environmental issues include; environmental degradation, climate change, deforestation, water scarcity. And other issues such as global warming, biodiversity loss, dead zones, irrigation problems, erosion, floods, pollution, increased temperature, soil degradation, and waste.
Well, we obviously can’t stop eating, and that is why sustainable agriculture is very paramount in balancing food production and a healthier environment. Read more in this article.
Thinking of venturing into agriculture, then you should start thinking of a more sustainable way to go about it. This has become the new norm and a more productive way of farming.
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
The word sustainable agriculture might sound a little complex, but it is not, we probably hear about organic food now. And then most of us don’t want foods with traces of fertilizers and chemicals, well that’s one of the many features of sustainable agriculture.
We can define sustainable agriculture as an agricultural activity/ farming practice done sustainably to meet our food and other Agro- resources needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Its major aim is to sustain farmers, resources, and communities by promoting farming practices and profitable, environmentally friendly, and future conscious methods.
The key aspect of sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture fits completely into modern agriculture. In fact, we term it the future agriculture. It aims to reward the true values of farmers and their products. It encourages new technologies and renews the best practices of the past. There are three key focuses of sustainable agriculture. This includes environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability.
Environmental sustainability
Achieving and maintaining a healthy environment is a key focus of sustainable agriculture. Our environment and its resources (water, land, weather, climate. Etc.) Are the basis of agriculture. As farmers, we need good land/soil to farm, an excellent water source, and a healthy weather condition that will encourage high productivity.
Undoubtedly, all these resources are becoming limited; therefore, the need to ensure sustainable use and management of our environment and its resources is very important. With sustainable agriculture in Nigeria, we can ensure agricultural practices that minimize agricultural wastes. And also reduce negative agriculture impact on our environment.
Economic sustainability
As farmers, our major goal is profitability. We all want to get high returns from our farming activities, which is one of the key goals of sustainable agriculture.
It encourages profitability and also longevity of the farming business. With sustainable agriculture in Nigeria, a farmer spends less if they apply the right agricultural practices. This encourages high returns that are not only profitable but also future viable.
Social sustainability
Along with the remaining two goals, sustainable agriculture seeks to encourage food security and also improve the social-economic welfare of farmers, communities, and the world at large. Sustainable agriculture in Nigeria would encourage better welfare for farmers and rural communities at large.
The key areas of sustainable agriculture remain at ensuring all areas of agriculture and it stakeholder have well sustainable structure. There is no doubt our environment needs more resilient agriculture that is more sustainable and economically viable. Farmcenta major aim remains at building more resilient agriculture in Africa using improve technology and expertise.
