Agricultural Land Management Policies in South-South, Nigeria; Implications for Sustainable Environment and Agriculture

Abstract

Agricultural land management policies in South-South, Nigeria; implications for sustainable environment and agriculture were examined. About 60 respondents were interviewed and data collected through a structured questionnaire cum scheduled interviews. The outcomes of the study were analyzed using likert scale techniques. The results showed various forms of environmental concerns prevalent in the area grouped into major and minor environmental concerns subject to the mean score. The major environmental concerns in the area include; Air pollution (3.50), Land pollution (3.23), Water pollution (3.21), Noise pollution (3.20), Climate change (3.14), Bush burning (3.09), and Land grazing (3.01). The result also depicts the potential causes of environmental concerns which include; Gas flaring (3.99), Oil spillage (3.90), Global warming (3.80), Mining (3.75), Industrialization (3.66), Smoke emissions (3.59), and Over-population (3.40). Efficient implementation of agricultural land management policies is a sine qua-non for sustainable environment, agriculture, food security, controlled carbon emissions, improved air and water quality, etc. Sustainable procedures for agricultural land management include; knowledge management, research, awareness and capacity development, community involvement, planning, enabling environment, and government involvement. The study strictly recommends the formulation and implementations of efficient land management policies that are economical, sustainable and environmentally safe.