DEGRADATION

DEGRADATION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDLand degradationis a process in which the value of thebiophysical environment is affected by combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land. Also environmental degradation is the gradual destruction or reduction of the quality and quantity of human activities animals activities or natural means example water causes soil erosion, wind, etc.

It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to be deleterious or undesirable.Natural hazardsare excluded as a cause, however human activities can indirectly affect phenomena such as floods and bush fires.While agricultural productivity has risen dramatically, the cost in landdegradationhas been high.

CAUSES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND DEGRADATIONLarge areas of the region's cropland, grassland, woodland and forest are now seriously degraded.Water and wind erosion are theMajor problems. Widespread; water tables have been over-exploited, soil fertility has been reduced and where mangrove forest has been cleared for aquaculture or urban expansion, coastal erosion has been a common result.