FMAFS, GIZ Partner to enhance Soil Health, boost production

FMAFS, GIZ Partner to enhance Soil Health, boost production

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with Gesellschaft fur internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is strategizing on promotion of soil health, enhancement of production and boosting of Nigerian farmers’ income

Speaking during a One Day High Level Workshop on Coalition of Willing (CoW) to unlock Nigerian Soil Information System (NISIS) held in Abuja recently, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated that “the
Coalition of Willing (CoW) is a collaborative effort to promote soil health and sustainable agriculture through the implementation of the Nigerian Soil Information System (NISIS).”

According to a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, the Ministry’s Assistant Director Information, Sen. Abdullahi added that the CoW would bring together people in the public and private sector, farmers, development partners, researchers, blenders, and individuals to share knowledge, resources as well as expertise.

The Minister emphasized that the Nigerian Soil Information System (NSIS) is a digital platform that provides comprehensive information on soil properties, types, management practices and would support sustainable agriculture, environmental management, decision-making, soil analysis, testing services, users to determine soil fertility, nutrient content, among others.

He pointed out that the system will not only provide recommendations on soil management practices, including crop selection, fertilizer application, and irrigation but also facilitate data sharing among stakeholders, adding that
“a Coalition of Willing is a formidable force to help unlock this potential’’.

He highlighted that the Ministry’s introduction of Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), was targeted at transforming the agricultural landscape, ensuring the provision of fertilizer recommendations tailored to specific crops and locations

The Minster added that “it aims to reduce soil and water pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative advocates for climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices. Part of its goals is to establish 774 soil laboratory tests across the nation’’

This strategy aims to empower our youth and⁶ women while ensuring that grassroots farmers have easy access to these soil laboratories, the Minister added.

He revealed that “the Ministry is dedicated to leveraging digital agriculture through: crop/site specific fertilizer recommendation, Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (E-Extension) Platform –a tailored platform that offers smallholder farmers real-time information, a guidance on agricultural best practices, market data, and climate-smart farming techniques and Climate-Smart Agriculture’’.

Sen. Abdullahi added that ‘’the development of climate-resilient seeds and practices aimed at enhancing food security and fostering economic growth, in partnership with NiMET for Seasonal Climate Precision to support early warning systems, Agricultural Mechanization –initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme are designed to boost agricultural output and decrease dependence on imports, Youth and Women Empowerment, – training initiatives for farmers, especially targeting youth and women, focusing on agribusiness, financial management, and modern farming methodologies’’.

Earlier, the Director, FMAFS’s Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Management Services (ALCCMS), Mr. Olanipekun Oshaiya stated that “to achieve comprehensive digitized soil information with deliverables of healthy soil, food security, and a safe environment, it is through robust data that we can bridge the soil nutrient gap and make informed decisions on Nigeria’s agriculture and food system.'”