<P> Agriculture in Nigeria is a branch of the economy in Nigeria, providing employment for about 30% of the population as of 2010 . The sector is being transformed by commercialization at the small, medium and large - scale enterprise levels . </P> <P> The usage of inorganic fertilizers was promoted by Nigerian government in the 1970s . In 1990, 82 million hectares out of Nigeria's total land area of about 91 million hectares were found to be arable. 42 percent of the cultivable area was farmed . Much of this land was farmed under the bush fallow system, whereby land is left idle for a period of time to allow natural regeneration of soil fertility . 18 million hectares were classified as permanent pasture, but had the potential to support crops . Most of the 20 million hectares covered by forests and woodlands are believed to have agricultural potential . </P>

Describe the various stages of agricultural development in nigeria