Uses of Land for Agricultural Purposes

1. Crop Production:

Land is used for the production of crops like yam, rice, maize, cassava and cowpea. Production of cash crops like cocoa, oil palm and rubber.

Characteristics of Land Used for Agriculture:

• Must be fertile and well-drained.
• The soil must be free of pathogens, pests and parasites.
• The soil must have good texture, structure and profile.
• The topographyTopography can be defined as the study of the shape and features of land surfaces. The topography of an area refers to the surface shapes and features on the ground and... More must be very good. It must not encourage erosion.

Importance / or Merits of Crop Production:

• Provision of food.
• Employment opportunities.
• Income to farmers.
• Provides raw materials for agro-allied industries.
• Aids the development of communities where commercial agriculture is practised.

2. Livestock Production:

Land can be used for natural grazing for livestock like cattle, sheep and goats.

Importance / Merits of Livestock:

• Provides food in the form of protein (meat, eggs)
• Provide feeds for farm animals.
• Source of foreign exchange.
• Provide employment.
• Provides hides and skin.

3. Fisheries:

Involves the establishment of fish ponds where fishes are raised artificially to provide the necessary sources of protein.

Importance / Merits of Fish Farming:

• Source of food.
• Source of income.
• Source of foreign exchange for the nation.
• Employment opportunities.
• A better use of land and water in our environment is achieved through fish farming.

4. Forestry:

Involves the management of the forest and its resources for man’s use. Forestry reserves are located where there is low population densityDensity is the measurement of how tightly a material is packed together i.e. how closely the particles are packed in the material. The tighter the material is packed the more its... More.

Importance / Merits of Forest:

• Provision of food: fruits, bush meat.
• Provision of firewood: fuel for cooking.
• Provision of medicinal herbs.
• Provision of employment.
• Provision of soil erosion.

Some Forest Reserves in Nigeria:

• Mamu River Forest Reserve, Anambra State.
• Shasha Forest Reserve, Osun State.
• Omo Forest Reserve, Ogun State. 
• Afi River Forest Reserve, Cross River State.
• Anara Forest Reserve, Igabi, Kaduna State
• Okomu Forest Reserve, Edo State.
• Sakponba Forest Reserve, Edo State
• Zamfara Forest Reserve, Zamfara State
• Sanga River Forest Reserve, Kaduna State.
• Oba Hills Forest Reserve, Osun State.
• Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos, Plateau State.

5. Wildlife Conservation:

Wildlife refers to animals and birds found in the bush/forest. Wildlife is conserved in game reserves which are centres of tourist attraction.

Land which is not suitable for agriculture and forestry may be used for game reserves.

Game reserves are places where wild animals are conserved, to avoid extinction, while they are carefully and wisely exploitedTo use someone or something unfairly for your own advantage. More.

Poaching or the indiscriminate killing of animals in a game reserve should be prohibited. Also, forest fires, and fishing with chemicals should be avoided.

Some animals conserved in game reserves include elephants, tigers, lions, snakes, leopards, giraffes, monkeys, birds and turtles.

Silviculture is the art and science of manipulating forest vegetation to enhance forest growth and establish new forest stands and wildlife habitats.

Examples of Game Reserves in Nigeria:

• Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State.
• Kainji National Park, Kogi State.
• Zugurma Game Reserve, Niger State.
• Borgu Game Reserve, Kwara State.
• Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary.

Importance / Merits of Wildlife/Game Reserves:

• Provision of education and research activities.
• Centre of tourism.
• Employment opportunities.
• Generate income for the government.
• Prevention of wildlife from extinction.

How Agricultural Land Can Appreciate in Value:

• Fertilization and manuring.
• Through irrigationIrrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil through various systems of tubes, pumps, and sprays. It helps grow crops, landscape plants, and lawns. Irrigation is usually used in... More and drainage.
• Bush fallowing.
• Proper erosion control.
• Rotational grazing.