EFFICACY OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The increase in human population and the need to adequately provide food for the sustenance of this teeming population have led to a corresponding increase in the use of land for agricultural purposes. This quest for food has given rise to both positive and negative impacts on the environment due to the various modes of agricultural practices adopted by players in agricultural industry. This paper will dwell on the negative environmental impact of agricultural technologies in Nigeria which includes but not limited to deforestation, desertification, erosion, pollution, greenhouse effect, loss of biodiversity and extinction of species of wild life. This paper will also x-ray the relevant legislations and regulations relating to agricultural practices in Nigeria with a view to ascertaining their efficacy or otherwise. It is observed that poverty, ignorance, illiteracy and corruption are the bane of unsustainable agricultural technologies in Nigeria, the education of the farmers, agricultural extension services, research into conservation and improvement of soil, genetic resources, utilization of forest products, agro-forestry wildlife, and afforestation of difficult sites, encourage inter-sectoral collaboration between forestry and related productive sites, strengthen planning, monitoring, evaluation, and support human resources development are recommended.