Agricultural Risk Management Strategies Needed By Farmers For Sustainable Crop Production In Enugu State

ABSTRACT

Agriculture makes use of the land to raise plants and animals. It is the basic source of food for human sustenance on the planet earth. Agriculture is the production of food, feed, fibre and other goods by the systematic growing and harvesting of plants and animals. Agriculture is also seen as the entire range of technologies associated with the production of useful products from plants and animals, including soil cultivation, crop and livestock management and the activities of processing and marketing, (Sci-Tech Encyclopedia, 2009). It is a channel through which man obtains both fleshy and vegetable foods, fibre for cloth and even wood and plant coverings for shelter. Agriculture in the opinion of Osinem (2008) is the most essential activity for human survival; because it feeds, produces basic commodities for the society and provides gainful employment for the majority. Ikala (2010) described agriculture as the profession of majority of humans. Hence, it is not out of place to say that agriculture is the basic foundation upon which all other spheres of human development stands.