By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono has charged newly reconstituted members of the Governing Council of the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) to develop the agricultural sector by encouraging technical cooperation on soil extension services in the nation.
Nanono, who spoke during the inauguration ceremony held on Thursday at the Yar’ Adua Center in Abuja, said their appointments were clear indication of their hard work, dedication , expertise and experience which will be brought to bear in the discharge of their duties in improving the Institute.
The minister, represented by the Director, Human Resource Department in the Ministry, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi, commended the 5 year strategic action plan launched by the Institute in March 2020.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Eno Olotu, the minister said, “it is being implemented along the objective of managing and protecting soil resources as well as encouraging technical cooperation on soil extension services. Therefore, your appointment in whatever capacity, is a clarion call to action, to transform the Agriculture sector of our country”.
He further said the strategic plan, “synchronises with the emerging framework of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan 2021-2015, which focuses on enhancing agricultural research system, rural infrastructure development, private driven mechanisation, agro and agro-allied cluster expansion. It is also stressing knowledge generation and innovation for improvement in extension, productivity, value addition and market access.’’
Also speaking during the inauguration, Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof Ayoade Ogunkunle said, the Council has worked assiduously in pursuing the mission of the Institute which amongst others include: to regulate the practice of soil science in Nigeria in order to increase productivity for all stakeholders and ensure high agricultural productivity and food security.
He enumerated the achievements of the Council during its first tenure to include: the development and implementation of a 5-year strategic action plan, establishment of zonal offices for ease of monitoring of activities at the grassroots, inventorization programme to ensure soil analytical laboratories meet international standards and distribution of 240no soil test kits across the geopolitical zonal offices.
Others are; the development of the draft National Agricultural Soil Management Policy, acquisition of land space for the state of art Analytical reference laboratory in Kaduna, nearing completion and also the mandatory continuous professional education to update its members with new development in the profession.
Prof Ogunkunle assured the minister that the Council under his chairmanship will adhere strictly to the mandate of their duties for the benefits of smallholders’ farmers at the grassroots.