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