The Challenges Emanating from Soil Utilization Practices and the Levels of Conservation Education and Awareness Among Rural Farmers in Nigeria

Sustainable Development is the utilization of resources to ensure the creation of materials and/or facilities/ devices that improve the well-being of man and his habitat in such a way and manner that the resources continue to be available for exploitation over a long period of time. However, many interacting factors of both nature and human activities continue to constitute great obstacles in the realization of the goal. This paper is aimed at adding to the awareness campaign in the aspects of soil utilization practices and the level of conservation awareness amongst our rural farmers who are responsible for over 70 % of local arable field crops produce. This work is an original scholarly research/ inquiry based on review of related pedagogic and didactic materials as well as observations in visits to farming communities. The results reveal soil degrading practices and low level of conservation awareness resulting from poor education (literally and practically) by government and /or private agencies occupied with sustainable development drive. The paper ends with useful suggestions that can impact positively on the awareness level and better practices by the rural farmers.