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- Agricultural sustainability in Northern Nigeria requires flexibility in both ecological management as well as economic activity. The population densities of the rural area in this region climbed from 243 to 348 people per square kilometer between 1962 and 1991, but the land area under permanent cultivation remained approximately the same. Increasing population results in high food demand among urban and rural dwellers, areas of cultivation, and reduced soil fertility. However, there are instances where frequent agricultural practices is not associated with degradation such as in Kano and neighboring region. Even though poverty and insufficient food exists in the region, it does not affect crop yield owing to sustained efforts to produce food in response to its high demand. Rainfall occurs seasonally – and there is a pronounced dry season – but is often intensive when it does come, making it necessary for farmers to employ soil moisture conservation techniques. The bulk crops are grown during the rainy season which begins in June or July, when the temperature is warm. The soils in the region are reddish brown or brown soils of the pH range of 6.0 – 7.0. The main crops grown in the region are millet, sorghum, and cowpea, while groundnut and sesame are significant minor crops. Wild foods also serve as an important supplement to the diet, especially during times of food shortage. The bulk crops are grown during the rainy season which begins in June or July, when the temperature is warm. In this region, there are sedentary Farmers made up of the Manga and Hausa people, and the nomadic pastoralists known as Fulani. In northern Nigeria, research surrounding intensive agricultural practices has been taking place for a number of decades, especially in the Kano Close-Settled Zone. Development plans for this region have focused on the use of imported technology and irrigation schemes, while neglecting traditional farming practices of the region. These traditional practices generally focus on the close integration between the raising of livestock and farming and it is being studied in detail in the Kano Close-Settled Zone of northern Nigeria. In the nineteenth century, the intensive agriculture carried out in this area of dense population surrounding Kano city was noted by western visitors like Henry Barth. (en)
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