Impact of agricultural pollution on the economic environment of Nigeria: The way out

Abstract

Man’s effort to provide food, shelter and other basic needs for the increasing human population have resulted in environmental consequences such as agricultural pollution. However, enough understanding of its impact has not been gained by the farmers to be able to address the problems. This paper therefore x-rayed the impact of agricultural pollution on the economic environment; reduction of soil flora and fauna, eutrophication, biomagnifications, rapid oxidation of mineral elements, global warming, blocking of water ways, health challenges, destruction of crops and farm animals, war and conflict, soil erosion and reduction of soil water, nutrients and air transmissions amongst others. Recommendations were consequently made to include laws and regulations that will strictly protect the economic environment, the use of biopesticide, herbicides zero tillage and environmental awareness to the rural population with low literacy level. Meeting the food needs of an ever-increasing global population is difficult but countries must meet the growing food needs while alleviating the effect on agricultural production on land-based ecosystem.