Worried by the impact of soil degradation on farmers’ productivity and food security, the Federal Government has commenced the process of domesticating the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) across the  country.

The national ecological programme, being implemented by Nigeria Soil Values and IFDC, is targeted at improving crop yields and reducing fertiliser waste through data-driven soil testing as part of an overall food security solution.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop on the domestication of the policy framework in Kano, the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Management Services (ALCCMS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Afolabi Fatima, explained that the country’s ability to produce sufficient food and build a resilient agricultural system depends on the productive capacity of its soil.

Fatima regretted that soil degradation, erosion and the impact of climate change had continued to pose significant challenges to farmers and food production.

She disclosed that the scheme would involve soil testing, the provision of soil health cards for fertiliser recommendations, and the establishment of a digital database for soil information.

“Our goal is to ensure that farmers apply the right nutrients, in the right quantity, at the right time and in the right place. This is where the concept of soil intelligence becomes increasingly important.

“Reliable soil information will enable us to understand the state of our agricultural land, improve fertiliser efficiency, guide investments in soil management and support evidence-based agricultural planning,” Fatima added.

The director, however, stressed that the success of the scheme would depend significantly on states domesticating its implementation based on their respective soil characteristics.

She urged state governments and non-state actors to integrate the scheme into their agricultural development programmes.

The Country Coordinator, Nigeria Soil Values, Madinah Ayuba Fagbemi, explained that the workshop was designed to create awareness among stakeholders on ways to improve soil fertility and address other issues relating to soil health.

Fagbemi added that the domestication of the scheme in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi states would involve integrated soil management, water conservation, and gender and youth mainstreaming.

According to her, Nigeria Soil Values, as a development partner in the implementation of the scheme, is working with international and national technical stakeholders as well as government agencies to build healthy soils that support farmers’ production.

The Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Mahmoud Danjuma, assured the state’s readiness to domesticate the soil health policy to improve farmers’ productivity.

Represented by Dr Faruq Kurawa, Managing Director, State Agricultural Extension Authority, the commissioner emphasised the government’s commitment to agricultural development and improved farmers’ productivity, adding that Kano was willing to partner with the Federal Government to promote food security.

The President of the Soil Scientists Society of Nigeria, Prof. Jibrin Jibrin, advocated adequate protection of soil to enhance its fertility.

He lamented the impact of soil degradation on food security and called for the implementation of the national action plan to restore soil nutrients.