As soil science Act is signed...what are the expectations?

soil

The soil science bill presented to the National Assemble almost a decade ago by the Association under the Leadership of Prof. Victor Chude has finally been passed into law by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo among five others last week.

By this bill, the soil mismanagement and abuses can now be taken legally serious and the issue of soil test before application of any form of fertilizers for right proportion application of Nitrogen, phosphorous and ammonia has now become compulsory just as all courses relating to soil science all colleges or faculties of agriculture in the universities and other institutions have to be certified by the Institute of Soil Scientists, by the time is solidly footed.

The bill sent to national assembly for approval had prayed for an act to regulate the profession of soil science and to make provisions for the establishment, functions and administration of the Nigeria Institute of soil science and for related matters.

The functions of the Institute are to-

a.      Advice on the standard of academic qualification and practical skill to be attained by persons seeking to become registered as members, associates of fellows of the Institute as the case may be.

b.      Regulate the practice of the profession for the soil scientists.

c.       Establish, update and maintain a register of soil science practitioners under this bill according to their various ranks and to regulate the prerogatives and privileges pertaining to those ranks.

d.      Ensure that soil practitioners in Nigeria uphold the ethics of profession and quaranree the sustainability of high quality soil.

e.      Advance the education, science, technology and art of soil science and crop production in collaboration with zonal co-coordinating Research Institutes.

f.        Promote rapid sustainability of high quality soil through scientific methods, and advise on soil related pertaining to soil management in Nigeria.

g.      Advice and encourage the enactment and the enforcement of laws that will guarantee efficient production and consistent supply of high quality food to Nigerians.

h.      Educate the public on soil science activities.

i.        Co-operate or affiliate with any relevant association either locally or internationally.

Before the bill was finally ascent with Presidential approval by the Acting President, the bill has gone through several procedural scrutiny at the Senate committee level of the national assembly where many amendments are been carried out on the bill.