The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, recently inaugurated the National Executive Committee on the Implementation of the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security for the country.
During the inauguration held at the ministry’s conference room in Abuja, the minister stated that the committee’s establishment is crucial for shaping the future of Nigeria’s agriculture. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a revived and vibrant agricultural sector and a transformed food system. The Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHCS), administered by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) for sustainable agriculture, will emphasise the promotion of site-specific and crop-specific sustainable soil health management practices, along with the careful application of fertilisers.
The objectives of the initiative include defining appropriate soil fertility management practices, improving soil health and fertility, enhancing extension services on fertility management and creating employment opportunities for rural youth.
Abdullahi commended the committee members for their dedication and expertise, emphasising the importance of their collaborative efforts in shaping policies, programs and initiatives that promote sustainable soil management practices.
The programme is expected to span over a period of four years, culminating in the formal launch of the Soil Health Card Scheme by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last quarter of this year. The minister charged the committee to work collaboratively to achieve the goals of the initiative, engage stakeholders, foster partnerships, drive innovation and knowledge sharing and ensure inclusivity and equity for a successful Soil Health programme.
Director of agricultural land and climate change management services department, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun revealed that soil testing laboratories would be established across the 774 local government areas, which will create job opportunities and introduce a single-window approach for data collection to identify the right farmers.
Dr. Andrea Ruediger from Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) commended the government and the ministry for the proactive step of implementing the soil health card scheme.
The committee’s terms of reference (TOR) include carrying forward the objectives of the scheme for project evaluation, implementation and monitoring, identifying beneficiaries (laboratories) especially from states/local government areas, and submitting proof of basic laboratory facilities and equipment/inputs.
The national executive committee members include Mr. Oshadiya Olaonipekun as FMAFS chairman, Dr. Andrea Ruediger from GIZ, Sandra Oken from FMAFS (FDA), Dr. Deola Lordbaju from FMAFS (extension), Abana Waziri Abba from FMAFS (FISS), Yekeen Olukayode Rasaki from FMAFS (AHS) and Haruna Abdulhamid Yusuf from FMAFS (PCU).
