Agriculture can be defined as the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fibre, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. It involves various activities, including planting, harvesting, and managing crops, as well as breeding and caring for livestock.

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE SOCIETY



1. It provides the main source of food for the growing population. Examples rice, maize, and yams.


2. It is a major source of employment, especially in rural areas, and contributes significantly to Nigeria's economy.


3. It supplies materials for various industries, including textiles (cotton) and food processing.


4. Agriculture drives development in rural areas, improving infrastructure and supporting local businesses.


5. Sustainable farming practices help in managing soil and water resources, which are crucial in Nigeria’s diverse climate.


6. Agriculture is deeply connected to Nigerian culture, traditions, and lifestyles, influencing festivals and daily life.





TYPES OF AGRICULTURE PRACTICE IN LOCALTIES



INCLUDE :


1. Pastoral farming
2. Arable farming
3. Mixed farming
4. Taungya farming
5. Fish farming
6. Livestock farming
7. Shiftin cultivation
8. Land rotation/Bush fallowing
9. Crop rotation



1. Pastoral farming : Pastoral farming is a form of farming that is focused on the raising of animals that feed on grasses and legumes, such as sheep, cattle and goat.


2. Arable farming: this is a form of farming that involve growing of crops. this form of agriculture does not involve rearing of animals or grow fruit and vegetables. example include wheat,barley, yam etc


3. Mixed farming : mixed farming is a form of farming that involve both cultivation of land and rearing of animals. a mixed farmer can plant rice and at the same time keep cattle, sheep, pigs or poultries.


4. taungya farming : is a form of farming which combines the production of both arable and forest tree cops simultaneously on a piece of land.


5. fish farming : this is a form of farming or aquaculture in which fish are raised in enclosures to be sold as food. It is the fastest growing area of animal food production.


6. Livestock farming : this is a form of farming that involve raising animals for business purpose. commodities such as meat, milk, egg,wool, and leather are produced by domesticated animals.


7. Shiftin cultivation : this can be define as an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned while post-disturbance fallow vegetation is allowed to freely grow while the cultivator moves on to another plot.


8. Crop rotation : Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land. This improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure. for example a farmer may plant maize this year and plant cassava the following year