The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has unveiled a strategy to improve soil health, increase production, and raise farmers’ incomes across Nigeria.
Speaking at a one-day high-level workshop on the Coalition of Willing (CoW) to unlock the Nigerian Soil Information System (NSIS) in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the initiative will unite government agencies, private organisations, farmers, researchers, blenders, and development partners to share knowledge, resources, and expertise for sustainable agriculture.
Abdullahi explained that the Nigerian Soil Information System is a digital platform designed to provide comprehensive data on soil properties, types, and management practices. The system will guide farmers in determining soil fertility, nutrient content, crop selection, fertilizer application, and irrigation methods, while facilitating data sharing among stakeholders.
The minister also introduced the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), which he described as a groundbreaking initiative to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through crop- and site-specific fertilizer recommendations.
He said the scheme would reduce soil and water pollution, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices.
According to him, the plan includes establishing 774 soil laboratories nationwide to give grassroots farmers easy access to testing services.
The strategy also leverages digital agriculture through precision fertilizer recommendations, a Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (E-Extension) platform to provide farmers with real-time market data and climate-smart techniques, as well as partnerships with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) for seasonal climate forecasting and early warning systems.
Abdullahi noted that the government is also prioritising agricultural mechanisation through the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme to boost output and reduce reliance on imports.
Other measures include developing climate-resilient seeds, promoting youth and women empowerment, and offering training in agribusiness, financial management, and modern farming methods.
In his remarks, the Director of Agricultural Land and Climate Management Services (ALCCMS), Mr. Olanipekun Oshaiya, stressed that robust and digitised soil data is essential to bridging the nation’s soil nutrient gap, ensuring healthy soils, and achieving both food security and environmental safety.
