Abstract: The taungya system is an agroforestry management system in which tree crop species are introduced into fields where arable crops have been initially cultivated. Desirable tree species are planted after two to three years of crops cultivation on the same parcel of land giving the opportunity for harvestable tree crops. Taungya system embraces multiple land use practices involving production of trees and agricultural crops due to its simplicity to operate especially as it required no high level of education or skill to be implemented. In the tropics where land is a major factor of production and great pressure and dependence of the inhabitants on land for their sustenance, the introduction and practice of taungya will not only improve food production, it will alleviate the wasteful land use under the traditional agricultural production systems, purification of the environment and immensely contributed to the socio-economic well-being of the rural inhabitants. The overall objective of this article was to show the potential of taungya system for sustainable crop production. The article meticulously highlighted the historical development of the system, the various problems militating against its operations, its benefits and even the environmental implications, with a view to positively repositioning the system for greater sustainability. Finally, the discourse revealed that taungya system has the potentials for sustainable crop production.
Keywords: Taungya system, land use, rural inhabitants, socio-economic, potential, sustainability, crop production.
Title: SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF TAUNGYA FARMING SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA
Author: Wiro K.O., Ansa, J.E.O.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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