Agricultural Pollution

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Yes Agriculture is so important to us in many ways. Agriculture has also saved lives in time past and still saves life.

Lately There has been discovery that agriculture has a negative impact to human life. Do you believe that? Is this really true?

Let me give you a little reason why we now have Agricultural Pollution. One of the reasons why we now have Agricultural Pollution is because the way agriculture was done in time past is different from how it is done now.

For instance back then what was used as fertilizer was animal dump, ash or dried leaves but now chemicals are now used as fertilizer. Formally there was nothing like mechanized farming where huge machines are used. But now that we have it, has contributed to soil pollution.

Agricultural Pollution is no different from the word pollution as you already know just that this kind of pollution is caused by Agricultural practices. Let's look at such practices.

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• Application of Excess Fertilizers

We know how important fertilizers are to farmers and to crops. We also know that excess of good things can have negative effects like wise the application of Excess Fertilizers to crops, some fertilizer are retained in the soil and when rain comes it flushes it into rivers, streams contaminating the water.

• Overgrazing

This is a practice of allowing animals feed from the grasses, plants or Vegetations in the land.
This practice can lead to agricultural pollution because it contributes to soil erosion and exposure of the soul and making fertilizers to wash away easily when it rains into bodies of water.

• Through Pesticides

Pesticides generally are used to control weeds and pest s in our farms. Over time these Pesticides have gone beyond killing pest and weeds and have contributed to pollution especially air pollution.

• Smoke from machines exhaust

Because farmers have moved from small scale farming to commercial farming, the use of machines has increased. We have machines handling agricultural practices like the tractor used and other machines. The smokes from the exhaust of these machines has contributed to pollution. Air pollution and even land pollution.

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Some Effects of Agricultural Pollution

The effects of Agricultural Pollution are numerous, they include the following;

• Infertility of soil

Many lands loose their ability to produce well due to the numerous pollution such overgrazing, soil erosion and even excess fertilizer. Soil begins to produce lesser and lesser produce.

• Change in climate

Because of the use of chemicals and some use Pesticides that has affected the atmosphere especially the ozone layer, numerous changes has occured in the climate which is not positive.

• Health Problems

Many health issues has raised due to agricultural pollution such as cancer, food poisoning , respiratory problems and many other illness.

• Contamination of our water bodies

Rivers, streams, dams and oceans have been contaminated including water for irrigation has been contaminated and no longer safe for drinking or usage.