Impacts of Agroforestry in Agricultural Sustainabilty and Food Security in Nigeria

Abstract

The first essential component of social and economic justice is adequate food production. Food plays a vital role in the life of mankind and it keeps the body functioning. Nigeria is a country richly blessed with abundant natural and human resources that if properly utilized can feed its people, yet it is experiencing persistent food crisis both in terms of quantity and quality. Food security is the ability of people to meet their required level of food consumption at all times. Food insecurity has been a major concern in Nigeria where peasant farmers lack the skill and capital to produce large quantity of farm produce that will meet the nation’s need. Agroforestry which combines growing of trees with the production of other crops or animal has been a widely used system for combating food insecurity which also reduces the risk of crop failure during adverse conditions such as prolong drought period and other natural calamities due to climate change. Through agroforestry practices, food production, improved soil fertility, health and increasing economic income of rural people can be properly tackled in the country. Research into agroforestry practices should be properly disseminated to rural farmers so that they can adopt the system. Also, government policies, research institute and other agricultural schemes that has been set up by the government should work towards making farmers adopt and apply agroforestry strategies in the country.