- Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda Targets Soil Health for Sustainable Farming
- A major component of the initiative is the establishment of 774 soil testing laboratories across all LG Areas in Nigeria
- Sen. Sabi affirmed that soil health will now be fully integrated into national agricultural policy
In a bold step to transform the agricultural sector and strengthen food security, the Federal Government has launched the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), a national initiative designed to improve soil fertility, reduce production costs, and enhance crop yields across the country.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the programme unveiled at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was declared open by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi, who described it as a flagship project under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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According to the Minister, the NFSHS aims to revolutionize soil management in Nigeria by encouraging scientific soil testing, customized fertilizer application, and data-driven agricultural practices.
He explained that the scheme will tackle long-standing challenges such as low productivity, high input costs, and indiscriminate fertilizer use that have hindered the nation’s agricultural growth.
“Farming begins with the soil. It is the quiet partner in every harvest. For too long, our soils have given without rest. The Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme will help farmers understand what their soil truly needs, eliminating guesswork and promoting smarter farming,” Sen. Sabi stated.
A major component of the initiative is the establishment of 774 soil testing laboratories across all Local Government Areas in Nigeria, ensuring easy access for farmers nationwide.
The government will also provide personalized soil health cards detailing fertility status, pH levels, and fertilizer recommendations specific to each farm and crop type.
In addition, a digital platform known as the Nigeria Soil Information System (NiSIS) will consolidate national soil data to guide evidence-based decision-making for farmers and policymakers.
The NFSHS will operate under a Public Private Partnership model involving federal, state, and local governments, alongside international development organizations and research institutions.
Development partners supporting the scheme include GIZ, the World Bank through the ACReSAL Project, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), AGRA, and Soil Values.
Sen. Sabi noted that the project has achieved significant milestones since its conception in 2023, including pilot soil assessments in 11 states, the development of soil health cards, and the integration of the NFSHS into the ECOWAS Regional Fertilizer Hub.
He highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of the scheme, such as increased yields, lower input costs, job creation for rural youth and women, and greater food security. It will also promote climate-resilient agriculture by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater contamination.
“By embracing soil-specific fertilizer recommendations, our farmers can double their yields, turning 60 bags of rice per hectare into 120, and maize from 50 bags to 100. This is about prosperity, not just productivity,” the Minister added.
The initiative aligns with the Nairobi Declaration on Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health, adopted by African Heads of State in May 2024, and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable fertilizer use and soil restoration across the continent.
Sen. Sabi affirmed that soil health will now be fully integrated into national agricultural policy, with the Ministry developing a Nigeria Agricultural Soil Management Policy for Sustainability.
“When a farmer understands their soil, they can plan better, harvest better, and pass on healthier land to their children. When we care for the soil, the soil cares for us,” he concluded.
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