CROP PRODUCTION IN AGRICULTURE

CROP PRODUCTION

Plants are diverse organisms differing in size and shape ( ranging from single cell such as algae to complex organisms such as tree). Plants represent the primary source of food for all animals including human beings. A crop is a plant or plant products that can be grown and harvested for profit and subsistence. By use, crops fall into six categories and these are Food crops, Feed crops, Fibre crops, Oil crops, Ornamental crops and lastly, Industrial crops. 

CROPS AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Food crops

• Food crops such as ( fruits and vegetables) are harvested for human consumption. Grain such as corn, wheat and rice are the world's most popular food. Food crops were the first crops to be harvested through agriculture. As we all know, we need food to live and what we eat matters. Food is any substance which provides an organism with energy and nutrients necessary for its existence. Food is a basic need and a basic right. Without reliable access to healthy foods, people suffer. To maintain good health, people must eat both energy producing food (carbohydrates and fats); and a proper balance of the other nutrients ( proteins,  vitamins, minerals, and water). Carbohydrate provide the energy needed by the body to maintain its living activities including working, walking and even sleeping. Proteins are the foods that enable the body to replace or repair wounded parts; and which ensures growth. Vitamins ensure healthy body growth and so on.

Feed crop

• Feed crops such as (oats and alfalfa) are harvested for livestock consumption; 

Fiber crop

• Fiber crops such as (cotton and hemps) are harvested for textile and paper; 

Oil crop

• Oil crops such as (canola and soybeans) are harvested for consumption or industrial uses; 

Ornamental crop

• Ornamental crops such as (Rose and Jasmine) are harvested for landscape gardening; and lastly, 

Industrial crop

• Industrial crops are harvested for their products use in factories or machine.

EFFECTS AND CONSTRAINTS OF LOW FOOD CROP PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA

The world is not doing well when it comes to ending hunger and ensuring safe food access. Food production in Nigeria no longer keep with population growth, thus, creating a wide gap between demand and supply of food. The most relatable effects of the low food crop production leads to food inflation. Food inflation leads to food crisis; moreover shortage of food leads to lesser access to high-quality food for the poor, and this leads to undernourishment among the poor. Constraints of crop production in Nigeria include:   

• Inadequate land tenure system
• Inadequate provision of basic/ social amenities
• Loan and credit with high interest rate
• The poor financial status of the farmers
• Illiteracy of the farmers
• Transportation problem and inadequate storage
• Poor agricultural input
• Inadequate number of extension workers
• Unfavorable climate and so on.

HOW TO IMPROVE CROP PRODUCTION

In order to reduce the issue of hunger, unemployment, food inflation, food insecurity and so on; there is a need to improve crop productions. Crop productions can be improved through the  following: 

• Implementation of land reforms: Land reform is a crucial process of preparing our land for agricultural practices. The implements used are machines, tractors and implements. With land reform, working in the field is easy, that means an improvement in productivity is also easy
• Interplanting: It is the practice in which different crops are grown together at the same time. It is the best way to maximize the productivity of crops.
• Good storage facilities:The government should provide modern storage facilities at an affordable price.
• Loan and credit with low interest: Commercial and agricultural banks should make loan available to farmers at a low interest rate.
• Planting improved seeds: Seed plays an essential role in farms and these seeds are best to enhance farm productivity.
• Smart water management: Water is important for plant growth; and If you have the understanding of how to manage your water, you can enhance your crop productions.
• Planting heat tolerant varieties: Plants with heat tolerant varieties have the ability to maintain high crop yields in high temperature.
• Adequate number of extension workers: Extension workers help to educate and disseminate useful information and research to farmers; and this help greatly to improve the farmers' understanding of agriculture, thereby resulting in improved crop production.

Agriculture is the central pillars to many of the unprecedent challenges the world faces this century and, it is critical to health and wellbeing of individual as well as the plants. It can help to reduce poverty, raise income and improve food security. One of the major issues battling this economy today is food insecurity. Until Nigeria can feed its citizens, will it become a better economy, hence there is a need to place more importance on agriculture as this will bring solutions to the problem of world hunger, unemployment and global energy scarcities.