Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 18 ISSUE 3
Written by Paul Osu SIMEON, Hemen Emmanuel JIJINGI, Nyam Joseph APAJI

In agriculture, farm land is any space or medium that supports agricultural practice/production. This is in tandem with economics which has land as one of the four main factors of production. But ecologically, land can be said to be the solid part of the 'Earth’ along with its components in the interior, on the surface (ground level) and above the ground level. These are respectively the rocks and minerals including underground water; the soil and biological matters within and upon it; and the atmosphere. The interactions and interdependency of these factors made land and climate inter-twined and have created series of dynamics and phenomena which have influenced and shall continue to influence all forms of existence on earth. Agriculture which is a principal branch of any national economy is tied in major part to the soil which is the topmost part of land and therefore, farm is tied to ecology and its factors (which include climatic factors). The limit in the size of land available for farming and the continuous decline due to other competing needs of humanity together with the ever-increasing population of the world have made efficient mechanization the panacea for intensification of production to cope with the ever-increasing demand for food and raw materials. The path to overcoming the looming danger is sustainable management, which is present beneficial exploitation, utilization, maintenance, co-ordination and control of resources that ensures the continuous existence / availability for future needs. Certainly, it is now a known fact that changes in climatic conditions/ factors have brought about either positive or negative or both in the different parts of the world, and Nigeria is not an exception. This paper is an original scholarly inquiry based on review of related literatures (academic and public awareness information outlets), reports and physical observations of the authors. The results reveal that a worrisome land management culture and practices at present in Nigeria. This is being worsened by climate change effects of drier (including desert expansion) northern parts and wetter (including coastal erosion, ocean surge, swamp expansion and heavier erosion) southern parts of Nigeria. These coupled with poor handling of wastes, mining operations, pollution from oil spillage and gas flaring; wrong use of chemical (agro-related and environmental Sanitation related); reckless deforestation; etc constitute huge threats. The paper ends with propositions of mitigating actions and ameliorative measures to be taken by stakeholders in land holding and development.

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