Renewable energies have great potential to improve agricultural activities and rural development. Positive results are already being achieved with these relatively benign energies in many countries. In Nigeria, there is need to improve agricultural production for the increasing population and to conserve the fossil fuel reserves. Although renewable energy sources such as solar radiation and biomass are abundant, harnessing them for agricultural and rural development needs is very slow. This article extols the virtues of these energy sources, analyses the progress made so far in renewable energy technologies in Nigeria, identifies the major obstacles and suggests some solutions to overcome them.
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