19 ISSN 1712-8056[Print] ISSN 1923-6697[Online] www.cscanada.net www.cscanada.org Canadian Social Science Vol. 15, No. 10, 2019, pp. 19-32 DOI:10.3968/11307 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture A Legal Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Practice in Nigeria Mercy O. Erhun [a],* [a] Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. * Corresponding author. Received 1 September 2019; accepted 14 October 2019 Published online 26 October 2019 Abstract Almost 1 out of every 9 people on the planet Earth go to bed without food almost on a daily basis. Nigeria ranks 20 th on the Global Hunger Index, with about 65% of her population confronted with food insecurity. The country has an estimated 84 million hectares of arable land of which only 40% is cultivated. There is huge potential in forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, food and cash crops. How to harness these potentials into prosperity and food security still remains a challenge. The paper is set out to investigate the challenges militating against sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria and suggest ways as to how these challenges can be surmounted. The goal of this paper is how to meet the food needs of this nation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The study found that despite various attempts at addressing food shortage in Nigeria, the nation still remains insecure as far as food is concerned and that Nigeria is yet to attain sustainable agricultural development despite her robust agricultural laws. The paper identified agriculture as an indispensable requirement for life sustenance and the best way to end poverty. The paper concluded that agriculture, which is a major platform for national development as well as one of the major drivers of the economy of any nation, remains a very important engine of economic development. A legal framework for sustainable agricultural practice that is carefully designed and implemented with the necessary political will was postulated. Key words: Nigeria; Sustainable agricultural practice; Food security Erhun, M. O. (2019). A Legal Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Practice in Nigeria. Canadian Social Science , 15 (10), 19-32. Available from: http://www.cscanada.net/index.php/css/article/view/11307 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/11307 introduction Agriculture, the first and oldest occupation on earth, is one important component of the moment (Fox, et al., 1990). It was the first assignment given to man by God in the Garden of Eden where God commanded man to till the ground and dress it. Agriculture occupies a prime place in any economic system. Without agriculture, the existence of man on earth will be near impossible (Akinola, 2015). Agriculture is therefore the source of life on earth. It serves as a source of food for every living organism, a source of employment and income to a good number of people, a source of raw materials for agro-based industries, a source of foreign exchange earnings, a source of national security, a source of shelter and clothing, etc. Agriculture is tied to the various sectors and is essential for generating broad based growth necessary for development (Ladan, 2013). It is not only fundamental to the sustenance of life, but is also the bedrock to economic development. Development and improvement in the agricultural sector is a necessary prerequisite for the development of Nigeria. Agricultural practice and development activities take place on the environment. The environment therefore represents a complex system of interconnections (Sands, 2003, p.5). The interconnections between the environment and agricultural practices cannot be treated as discrete (Goodie, 1993, pp. 367-368). This interconnection poses legal challenges as to how to develop and apply a comprehensive and effective set of legal requirements aimed at preventing environmental damage when engaged in agricultural practice. Agriculture-led development is fundamental to sustainable national development as it