By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has announced plans to establish 774 soil laboratories nationwide to support grassroots farmers, enhance soil health, and improve agricultural productivity.
The initiative was disclosed by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, during a one-day high-level workshop on the Coalition of Willing (CoW) to unlock the Nigerian Soil Information System (NSIS) in Abuja.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and is part of the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), which Abdullahi described as a groundbreaking effort to transform the nation’s agricultural sector.
He explained that the scheme aims to reduce soil and water pollution, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and empower youth and women while making soil laboratories easily accessible to grassroots farmers.
The minister noted that the CoW represents a collaborative approach to improving soil health and promoting sustainable agriculture through the NSIS — a digital platform offering comprehensive information on soil properties, types, and management practices.
He added that the platform will provide tailored recommendations on soil management, including crop selection, fertilizer application, and irrigation methods, while facilitating data sharing among stakeholders.
Abdullahi said the initiative will bring together government officials, private sector participants, farmers, researchers, development partners, fertilizer blenders, and individuals to exchange expertise, resources, and knowledge for the overall benefit of the agricultural sector.
According to him, the ministry is embracing digital agriculture solutions such as crop- and site-specific fertilizer recommendations, the Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (E-Extension) platform, climate-smart farming techniques, and the development of climate-resilient seed varieties.
He highlighted partnerships with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) to enhance seasonal climate prediction and early warning systems, as well as mechanisation initiatives like the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme, aimed at increasing production and reducing dependence on imports.
The minister also pointed out that training programmes will focus on building the capacity of youth and women in agribusiness, financial management, and modern farming techniques, to boost employment and productivity in rural communities.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Management Services (ALCCMS), Mr Olanipekun Oshaiya, stressed the importance of robust data for achieving digitised soil information.
Oshaiya said that healthy soil, food security, and a safe environment can only be attained through precise and reliable data that will help close the soil nutrient gap and enable informed decision-making in Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems.
The soil laboratory initiative is expected to be a major step toward achieving sustainable agriculture, increasing yields, and securing the nation’s food future.
