Nigeria’s Commitment to Agricultural Reform, Soil Health Initiative Remains Steadfast – Shettima
By George George Idowu
The Vice President of Nigeria Kashim Shettima, has reiterated federal government dedication to agricultural reforms focused on enhancing production and advancing soil management practices.
He made this known in Abuja during the launch of the ‘Soil Values’ agricultural initiative on Tuesday.
Shettima highlighted the pressing need to address challenges in soil fertility, particularly in light of projections that 26.5 million Nigerians could face a food crisis by mid-2024.
The vice president who was ably represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Kingsley Uzoma, emphasized agriculture’s critical role in Nigeria’s economy, contributing 24% to the GDP, and underscored the need to confront challenges such as land degradation and erosion, especially in the Sahel region.
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Shettima stated: “Agriculture is pivotal to Nigeria’s economy, yet it faces several constraints hindering its progress. Land degradation, erosion, and drought are escalating due to over-exploitation and deforestation, particularly in the north.”
He expressed pride in Nigeria’s participation in the ‘Soil Values’ program, which is expected to benefit farmers not only in Nigeria but also in other countries grappling with similar soil fertility issues.
The ‘Soil Values’ initiative, supported by the Dutch Directorate-General for International Cooperation and led by the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), aims to combat soil fertility issues, promote sustainable agricultural development over the next decade, and improve the livelihoods of 1.5 million small-scale food producers.
The CEO of IFDC, Henk Duijn, stressed the importance of long-term investments in soil health, urging governments and donors to prioritize funding initiatives with sustainable outcomes.
In response, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, called on stakeholders to embrace innovative interventions to combat declining soil fertility, affirming Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with international partners to implement the ‘Soil Values’ program effectively.
