This article presents the conservation of soil and water resources and its effective utilization as key to
sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria. This requires policies and methods that emphasize the
conservation of these natural resources base. Poverty, intensification and extensification of marginal
lands were identified as major threats to the sustainability of soil and water resources. The study
recommends “home grown: soil and water conservation practices, and water quality management
techniques that are vital to ameliorate the problems of soil degradation, erosion and water quality. It is
advocated that education and training of the stakeholders remains the best option for the adoption of
the suggested sustainable technologies in order to avert food crisis in Nigeria.