Category: Environment

INTRODUCTION:
Since industrialisation, conventional agricultural practices have put increasing pressure on
land to produce more per hectare. Agrochemicals, monoculture cropping systems and
intensive tillage have led to soil degradation, damaging the landscape and because 38% of the
world’s land surface is agricultural, the scale of this issue is huge.
Agriculture is the leading source of pollution in many countries hence Pesticides, fertilizers
and other toxic farm chemicals can poison fresh water, marine ecosystems, air and soil. They
also can remain in the environment for generations.
Although agrochemicals can prevent and control pests, diseases, and weeds to greatly
improve the harvests of coffee, rice, beans, corn farmers etc. However, during spraying, only
a small amount of the toxic chemicals reaches the targeted pests, diseases, and weeds. The
rest contaminates the surrounding soil, air, and waterbodies which brings harm to useful
living creatures in ecosystems.

The effect of agrochemical in a mordern technological setting cannot be overemphasized as it play a
greater role on the soil, climate change, water, air and bacterial.
SOIL
Nitrogen is an important element for soil fertility, and it enables plants to grow. Bacteria are the organisms
in soil that create nitrogen and make the soil fertile. However, once agrochemicals spill over from the
plants to the soil, they can be detrimental to the population of bacteria. This can subsequently affect the
levels of nitrogen and other minerals in the soil – making it less conducive for plant growth.
Like bacteria, earthworms also play a significant role in enhancing the quality and fertility of soil. They
decompose organic matter which essentially turns into a natural manure for plants. Worms also play a vital
role in the soil’s structure by creating channels for plant irrigation, and soil drainage and aeration.

AIR
Pesticides have the potential to contaminate our air, affecting the health of humans, animals, and plants.
During spraying, strong winds can cause agrochemicals to drift and contaminate nearby surfaces. Aside
from this affecting the health of humans in nearby settlements, it can cause a ripple effect that can
adversely affect ecosystems. When they drift to nearby plants, insects and waterbodies, agrochemicals can
expose important pollinators like bees, fruit flies and some beetles to pesticides either through inhalation or
ingestion. Overtime, this can lead to the loss of plant species because of the lack of adequate populations
of pollinators.
In addition, Livestock, birds, and other animals can encounter the agrochemicals in the air through
inhalation, absorbing it through their skin or ingesting them through feeding on contaminated plants or
seeds. Although this exposure is rarely fatal for larger animals, high levels of pesticides can be found in the
meat of livestock which humans eat. Pesticides can also lead to high mortality of smaller animals like
birds. Birds and other predators like spiders play a critical role in ecosystems because they help maintain
the natural balance of insect populations by eating them, and some species like hummingbirds are also
important pollinators. Therefore, a decline in the population of birds could lead to an increase in plant
pests/insects as well as the loss of some plant species.
WATER
Pesticide residues can drift into waterbodies through the air, accidental spillage, rain runoff from
contaminated soil or washing the spraying equipment after use. Excessive use of agrochemicals can also
lead to the contamination of groundwater with nitrate, a chemical compound that in large concentrations is
poisonous to humans and animals. Aside from the contaminated water affecting the health of the animals
that come into contact of it – including livestock and humans – pesticides have been directly linked to
causing fish mortality. Fish are an important part of marine ecosystems because they provide food for other
mammals and birds. Therefore, a decline in the population of fish would greatly affect many other animals
in food chains and food webs.

CLIMATE CHANGE
The increased use of agrochemicals is a side effect of climate change because higher temperatures trigger
increased incidents of pests and diseases. At the same time, producing and using agrochemicals to
control the pests and diseases creates climate problems. The production of nitrogen-based fertilizers “is
energy-intensive, requiring the burning of fossil fuels. After farmers apply these synthetic fertilizers to
crops, chains of chemical reactions generate nitrous oxide, or N2O, a greenhouse gas. N2O has a far
greater global warming potential than either methane or carbon dioxide—265 times more by weight as
CO2.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THESE EFFECTS
Since agriculture remain the most essential element of the global food supply especially in Nigeria both for
export and domestic consumption. Environmental exposure of humans to agrochemicals is common and
results in both acute and chronic health effects, including acute and chronic neurotoxicity (insecticides,
fungicides, fumigants), lung damage (paraquat), chemical burns (anhydrous ammonia), and infant
methemoglobinemia (nitrate in groundwater). A variety of cancers also have been linked to exposure to
various pesticides, particularly hematopoietic cancers. Therefore,
The use of control methodologies and the impacts of these practises should be monitored over time to
improve agripest control and guard against unforeseen consequences above mentioned.
Agriculture is arguably the most important undertaking that ensures the continuance of human civilisation.
Agripest pressures can have dramatic effects on our ability to produce food and fibre (of which there is a
growing need as population increases), and the loss of methods to control or avoid these effects is a
significant threat.

Rice is a staple food in Nigeria, providing a major source of nutrients to the population. However, the impact of climate change on rice production in Nigeria has become a growing concern in recent years. Climate change has resulted in changes in rainfall patterns, temperature, and humidity levels, which have affected rice production in the country.

One of the major impacts of climate change on rice production in Nigeria is the decline in yield. The changing climate has led to reduced water availability for irrigation, which has affected the growth and development of rice plants. In addition, the increasing temperatures and humidity levels have led to the proliferation of pests and diseases that attack rice plants, reducing the yield.

Another impact of climate change on rice production in Nigeria is the increase in post-harvest losses. This is due to the high temperatures and humidity levels that accelerate the rate of spoilage of harvested rice. Inadequate storage facilities and poor processing techniques have also contributed to the increase in post-harvest losses.

Furthermore, climate change has also led to the degradation of land and soil fertility in rice-growing areas, making it difficult for farmers to cultivate rice. The soil structure and composition have been altered due to increased erosion and decreased soil moisture levels.

To mitigate the impact of climate change on rice production in Nigeria, farmers and policymakers need to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. These practices include the use of drought-tolerant and pest-resistant rice varieties, efficient water management techniques, and the adoption of sustainable land management practices. In addition, there is a need to Improve post-harvest handling and processing techniques to reduce losses and improve the quality of rice.

In conclusion, climate change has had a significant impact on rice production in Nigeria, leading to reduced yields, increased post-harvest losses, and degradation of land and soil fertility. To address these challenges, there is a need for concerted efforts by farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices and improve the entire rice value chain.

Weather is a critical factor in farming, and forecasting plays an essential role in planning and decision-making for farmers. It is vital for farmers to have reliable weather forecasts to help them make informed decisions about crop management, planting, harvesting, and other agricultural activities.

Weather forecasts in agriculture can be grouped into; Short range forecast (up to 48 hours), Medium range forecast (3 – 10 days), Long range forecast (1 week – a whole planting season) each plays an important role in farming operations and agricultural planning.

The importance of weather forecasts for agriculture can be understood in many ways. Firstly, weather patterns are critical determinants of agricultural productivity. Temperature, rainfall, and sunlight are essential factors that influence the growth, development, and yield of crops. Weather forecasts provide farmers with accurate information about weather patterns, which helps them make informed decisions about when to plant, water, and harvest crops.

Secondly, weather forecasts also help farmers to manage risks associated with extreme weather events such as drought, floods, and storms. By predicting these events, farmers can take appropriate measures to protect their crops and minimize the losses caused by these extreme weather events. For example, farmers can prepare for drought conditions by conserving water and implementing irrigation systems, or they can protect their crops from flooding by moving them to higher ground or installing drainage systems. It gives farmers information that enables high productivity by maximizing rainfall and other weather elements in eco-friendly farming practices. Farmers should be conscious of the types of crop they grow and they are also expected to consider the climate condition of the region they intend to plant. Climate factors and environmental conditions like edaphic and biotic factors, sunlight, water and rainfall, temperature etc. also affect production of agricultural products in various ways.

Finally, weather forecasts can also help farmers to manage their resources efficiently. By providing accurate information about upcoming weather patterns, farmers can plan their activities and make better use of resources such as labor, fertilizers, and pesticides. For example, if a forecast predicts heavy rainfall, farmers can plan to apply pesticides and fertilizers before the rain, as this will increase their effectiveness

In conclusion, weather forecasts are essential for agriculture, and farmers need reliable information about weather patterns to make informed decisions about crop management, risk management, pest and disease management, and resource management. By using weather forecasts, farmers can improve their productivity, increase their profits, and minimize losses caused by extreme weather events and other factors that influence agricultural productivity.