Food Security Decoder

Definition: A facility where animals are slaughtered for meat production under hygienic and regulated conditions. Related Terms: Meat processing, Slaughterhouse

Definition: A chemical substance used to kill mites and ticks on plants or animals. Related Terms: Pesticide, Insecticide

Definition: A unit of land measurement commonly used in agriculture, equivalent to 4,046.86 square meters or about 0.405 hectares. Related Terms: Acreage, Hectare

Definition: A unit of volume used in irrigation, representing the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. Related Terms: Irrigation, Water management

Definition: The total area of land, measured in acres, used for agricultural or other purposes. Related Terms: Acre, Farmland

Definition: A substance added to agricultural sprays to improve the performance of pesticides or herbicides. Related Terms: Surfactant, Pesticide

Definition: A method of sowing seeds by spreading them from an aircraft over large areas, often used for inaccessible or rugged terrain. Related Terms: Broadcasting, Seed dispersal

Definition: A method of growing plants in an air or mist environment without using soil or any growing medium. Related Terms: Hydroponics, Soilless agriculture

Definition: An entity or platform that collects produce from multiple smallholder farmers and consolidates it for sale or distribution, often to processors, retailers, or export markets. Related Terms: Value Chain, Off-taker, Cooperative

Definition: Relating to land, farming, or the rural way of life. Related Terms: Agrarianism, Agriculture

Definition: The structure and organization of land ownership and use in a given society, including the rights of farmers and land tenure systems. Related Terms: Land tenure, Agrarian reform

Definition: A social and political philosophy that values rural society and the farming lifestyle as central to the economy and moral foundation of a nation. Related Terms: Agrarian, Land reform

Definition: The study of plant nutrition and growth in relation to soil conditions and agricultural practices. Related Terms: Soil science, Agronomy

Definition: A sector that encompasses farming and farming-related commercial activities, including the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products. Related Terms: Value Chain, Agro-Processing, Food Systems

Definition: The sequence of stages in crop and livestock farming, including land preparation, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and marketing. Related Terms: Crop rotation, Seasonal farming

Definition: The study of economic principles applied to the production, distribution, and consumption of agricultural goods and services. Related Terms: Farm management, Agribusiness

Definition: A branch of engineering focused on improving farming techniques, equipment, and infrastructure. Related Terms: Farm machinery, Irrigation systems

Definition: A system of education and outreach that provides farmers with knowledge, tools, and techniques to improve productivity and sustainability. Related Terms: Extension agent, Farmer training

Definition: Land designated for farming and cultivation of crops or rearing of animals. Related Terms: Farmland, Arable land

Definition: Mechanical equipment used in agricultural activities such as ploughing, planting, harvesting, and irrigation. Related Terms: Tractor, Combine harvester

Definition: The science and practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products. Related Terms: Farming, Agronomy

Definition: A professional or expert in agriculture who engages in or advises on farming practices and food production. Related Terms: Farmer, Agronomist

Definition: A system that combines solar energy generation with agricultural production on the same land. Related Terms: Renewable energy, Sustainable farming

Definition: The transformation of raw agricultural products into finished goods or intermediate products for consumption or industrial use. Related Terms: Value Chain, Agribusiness, Post-Harvest Loss

Definition: A sustainable farming approach that applies ecological principles to agricultural systems, promoting biodiversity, resilience, and reduced dependency on external inputs. Related Terms: Climate-Smart Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture

A land-use system that integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes to boost productivity, biodiversity, and soil health. | Related Terms: Climate-smart Agriculture, Reforestation

Definition: The farming of algae for use in food, pharmaceuticals, biofuel, or other commercial products. Related Terms: Aquaculture, Biotechnology

Definition: A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiative launched in 2015 to provide farm inputs and loans to smallholder farmers to boost agricultural production and link them with agro-processors. Related Terms: Input Subsidy, Smallholder Farmers, Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS)

Definition: A standardized measure used to compare different types of livestock based on their feed and space requirements. Related Terms: Livestock management, Grazing capacity

Definition: A farming system that does not use animal-derived inputs like manure or bone meal, often associated with vegan or plant-based farming. Related Terms: Vegan agriculture, Organic farming

Definition: The practice of beekeeping for the production of honey, beeswax, and pollination services. Related Terms: Beekeeping, Pollination

The breeding, raising, and harvesting of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and algae in controlled environments. Related Terms: Fisheries, Blue Economy, Catfish Farming

Definition: A system that combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. Related Terms: Hydroponics, Integrated farming

Definition: Land that is suitable for growing crops. Related Terms: Agricultural land, Farmland

Definition: A chemical substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of trees. Related Terms: Herbicide, Deforestation

Definition: The application of water to crops using controlled systems such as canals, sprinklers, or drip systems, especially where rainfall is insufficient. Related Terms: Water Management, Drought Resilience

Definition: The intentional breeding of plants or animals to enhance desired traits. Related Terms: Genetic modification, Domestication

Definition: The historical process of clearing forest land for agriculture. Related Terms: Deforestation, Land conversion

A breeding method where a hybrid organism is crossed with one of its parents or a genetically similar individual to achieve offspring with genetic traits closer to the parent. Related Terms: Hybrid, Genetics, Breeding

A chemical substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in crops, livestock, or food production. Related Terms: Pesticide, Fungicide, Antimicrobial

The fibrous by-product left after extracting juice from sugarcane or sorghum, often used as fuel, livestock feed, or in bioenergy production. Related Terms: Biomass, Residue, Renewable Energy

Fermented, high-moisture fodder that is baled and stored in airtight conditions for livestock feeding. Related Terms: Silage, Forage, Feed

The process of compressing and binding hay, straw, or other agricultural materials into compact bundles for storage and transport. Related Terms: Silage, Harvesting, Forage

A farm building used for storing crops, housing animals, or storing equipment. Related Terms: Shed, Stable, Granary

A stable form of charcoal produced by heating organic waste in a low-oxygen environment, used to improve soil fertility and sequester carbon. Related Terms: Soil Amendment, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Agriculture

A living organism, such as a predator, parasite, or pathogen, used to suppress pest populations naturally. Related Terms: Biological Pest Control, Integrated Pest Management, Beneficial Insects

Materials or substances that can break down naturally through the action of microorganisms, reducing waste and environmental impact. Related Terms: Compostable, Organic Matter, Sustainability

The variety of living organisms within a particular area, ecosystem, or on the planet, critical for maintaining healthy and resilient food systems. Related Terms: Ecosystem Services, Genetic Diversity, Conservation

A substance containing living microorganisms that promote plant growth by increasing the supply or availability of essential nutrients. Related Terms: Fertilizer, Organic Farming, Soil Health

A renewable fuel produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, such as animal waste or crop residues, which can be used for energy or cooking. Related Terms: Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Anaerobic Digestion

The use of living organisms such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to control agricultural pests, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. Related Terms: Integrated Pest Management, Natural Enemies, Sustainable Farming

Organic material from plants and animals that can be used as fuel, energy, or raw material for various products. Related Terms: Renewable Energy, Crop Residues, Bioenergy

A type of pesticide derived from natural materials like plants, bacteria, fungi, or certain minerals that control agricultural pests. Related Terms: Pesticide, Organic Farming, Integrated Pest Management

Environmentally friendly pest control products derived from natural sources and considered less harmful to humans and ecosystems. Related Terms: Biopesticide, Organic Farming, Integrated Pest Management

The use of living systems and organisms to develop or modify products, often used in agriculture to enhance crop yield, pest resistance, or nutrient content. Related Terms: Genetic Modification, Genomics, Precision Agriculture

The scientific study of plants, including their structure, function, growth, and classification. Related Terms: Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture

High-quality, genetically pure seed produced by plant breeders and used to generate foundation or certified seed for wider farmer use. Related Terms: Seed Multiplication, Certified Seed, Plant Breeding

A measurement of the sugar content in fruits, vegetables, or plant juices, commonly used to assess quality and ripeness. Related Terms: Sugar Content, Crop Quality, Postharvest

A method of sowing seeds by scattering them evenly across the soil surface rather than planting them in rows or holes. Related Terms: Seeding, Aerial Seeding, Direct Sowing

A chemical herbicide formulated to control broadleaf weeds in crops without damaging grasses or cereal crops. Related Terms: Weed Control, Selective Herbicide, Crop Protection

A designated area between agricultural land and sensitive environments to reduce contamination, prevent erosion, or support biodiversity. Related Terms: Conservation Agriculture, Riparian Zone, Environmental Management

Agricultural goods such as grains, oilseeds, or fibers that are traded in large, undifferentiated quantities rather than as branded or processed products. Related Terms: Staple Crops, Commodity Market, Value Chain

A traditional farming practice where land is cultivated for a few years and then left fallow under natural bush regrowth to restore soil fertility. Related Terms: Shifting Cultivation, Soil Regeneration, Sustainable Land Management

A secondary product resulting from an agricultural or food production process, which can often be reused or repurposed. Related Terms: Crop Residue, Circular Economy, Value Addition