Land may be defined as the uppermost layer of the earth's crust on which different activities is carried out on it including agricultural and non-agricultural activities. However, land can also be defined as the solid parts of the earth surfaces which has its components water,air, soil, rock , minerals, animals life and suitable for agricultural production.
Land is a factor of production.Land is immobile and limited in supply which reward is rent. It is a free gift the nature .
Land Use Policy
Land use really demand a very careful planning in order to ensure effective production. In other to use land most efficiently , there is always a need to ensure the effective continue use of land which must not change as even government changes. The current demand of land rhe most depends on housing, forestry, agriculture, transport, and recreation.
Classification of Land based on their uses
There are two major classification of land based on the activities carried out on it.
(a) Agricultural Land : Agricultural Land includes the land that is used for crop production, livestock production, fisheries, forestry, wildlife conservation. Know that, all these are under farming and agriculture.
(b) Non-Agricultural Land : These are land used for the following:
(i) Markets
(ii) Mining
(iii) Construction of buildings (residential purposes)
(iv) Industrial or factory use.
(v) Transportation e.g railways , airport, roads building.
(vi) Land can be used for cemeteries.
Use of Land for Agricultural Purposes
1. Production of Crops: Land can used for the production of food crops like yam,maize, cassava , cowpea etc .Land can be used for the production of cash crops like cottons , rubber, cocoa etc.
Importance of Crops
(i) Provision of food such as maize, yam, cassava etc
(ii) It provide employment for people for people.
(iii) It provides raw materials for Industries like starch from cassava.
(iv) Some crops can be exported and serves as a source of foreign exchange.
(v) It provide income for the farmers and aid the development of towns
2. Livestock Production: Land serves as a natural place for grazing of animals like cattle,sheep, goats etc. Large area of land are set aside in Savannah belts where there is abundant grass from livestock grazing.
Importance of Livestock to Man
1. Livestock provides food ask serves as as protein.
2. It provides employment for people e.g cattle rearers etc.
3. It provides feeds for animals.
4. It provides hide and skin for ornamental decorations, belts, mats, shoes etc.
5 It serves as sources of income to the nation when it is exported to other countries.
How Agricultural Land Appreciate in Value
1. Proper Irrigation and Drainage Services
2. Through fallowing
3. Through rotational grazing
4. Proper erosion control.
5. Proper cultivation method.
6. Rational Farming
7. Application of manure and fertilizers
3. Forestry : Land can used for forestry which involves the management of land and it's resources for man uses. Forest are established for places where there is low population density, low pressure for cultivation and where land seems to be very unfavorable for agricultural.
Some forest are kept by the government for some specific purpose.Hence they are specially caused Forest Reserve.
Some Forest Reserve
1. Mamu River Forest Reserve Anambra
2. Omo Forest Reserve I Ogun State.
3. Okomi Forest Reserve in Edo State.
4. Amara Forest Reserve
5. Sakpoba Forest Reserve.
Importance of Forest
1. Provision of food
2. Forest serves as source of fuel e.g fire wood
3. Forest provides some medicinal herbs
4. It serves as prevention of rain
5. Provision of timber for furnitures.
6. Provision of pulp for making papers and tissues.
7. Provision of employment e.g forest guard
8. Forest reduces atmospheric pollution by removing carbon dioxide from the air and replacing with oxygen.
4. Wildlife Conservation: Land can be used for wildlife conservation. Wildlife refers to animals such as animals in the bush. Wildlife is conserved in games reserves which is primary of tourist attraction.Land this is not suitable for agricultural nor forestry may be used for game reserve. Game reserves aee places where wild animal are kept to avoid them from finishing or extinction while they are carefully used up or exploited.
Poaching of animals in game reserves should be prohibited.
Examples of game reserves are:
(I) Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State
(ii) Kainji National Park in Kogi State
(iii) Borgu Game Reserve in Kwara State
Some are animals in game reserves include: elephant, tigers, zebra, giraffes, snakes, leopard , birds, turtles etc
Importance Of Wildlife Reserves
(I) Wildlife is hunted to provide meat for consumption
(ii) Game reserves are centres of tourism.
(iii) Games reserves also generate income for the government as people go there to see wildlife.
(iv) Prevention of wildlife from extinction
(v) Games reserves serves as sources of employment to many people .
(vi) Hide and skin from animals like Zebra , giraffe and tigers are used for domestic purposes.
5. Fishery : Some places on land is set aside for the production of fish.It involves the establishment of fish where fishes are being reared artificially to provide protein for human and serves as sources of income for people.
Importance of Fish Farming
(I) It provides fish which serves as a source of protein for man and livestock.
(ii) It promotes the recycling of water e.g animals dung from farm is used for feeding fish.
(iii) It provides employment for people.
(iv) Fish can be exported and generate income for the nation.
(v) Fish is used by industries for production of cold liver oils for eye.
Uses of Land for Non Agricultural Purposes
(6) Mining : Land where minerals are found are can be used for mining purposes.
(7) Industrial Purposes : Industries care situated on land.Majority of industries are built in industrial estate which has a large population density.
(8) Transportation : Land is used for the construction of roads, railways line.Transport by land is the cheapest.
(9) Residential Purposes: This is the use of lands for construction of buildings of houses.
(10) Educational Purposes: Land can be used to build school
Other non agricultural way of using land
11. Sport centres e.g stadia, gold course etc
12. Commercial purposes for building banks and warehouses
Factors Affecting the Use of Lands
1. High degree of land degradation E.g pollution, erosion etc
2. Climatic Conditions
3. Population growth.
4. Ecological factors
5. Rate of growth of population
6. Land fertility status.
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