The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) on Wednesday collaborated with Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), to implement activities through the 30-man committee on Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHCS).
The committee was inaugurated in July 2024 to run a four-year scheme mandated to shape the future of Nigeria’s agriculture, revive the data unit of the sector and proffer solutions to challenges limiting the sector
The Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari in a statement signed by the Acting Director for information FMAFS, Ezeaja Ikemefuna sent to THE WHISTLER said the partnership will improve agricultural productivity, and ensure a food-secured nation.
Kyari represented by the Director of, the Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr Oshadiya Olanipekun, assured that the NFSHCS would lead to cost reduction in farming activities, increase agricultural productivity,
“NFSHCS would promote site and crop-specific, sustainable soil health management practices and seamless application of fertilizers, among others.
‘’Healthy soil is rich in organic matter and mineral resources thereby providing optimal support for plant growth and maximum productivity’’ Kyari said.
The minister noted that healthy soil would ensure clean air, quality water, bountiful crop yield, productive grazing lands, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes.
Also, he assured that the scheme would provide online delivery of soil health cards to Nigerian farmers by using soil health card portals while assisting farmers with soil testing facilities and data based on the fertility status of Nigerian soil.
Lauding the initiative, the representative of the Institute of Agriculture Research & Training, IAR&T, Dr. Aduramigba Vincent stated that the implementation of the scheme would reduce input costs and increase the production and livelihood of Nigerian farmers.
In attendance were representatives drawn from the Ministry’s Development Partners, GIZ, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and IAR&T amongst others.