FG promises to enhance soil health, fertility

 * Scientists lament

 The Federal Government ( FG) has reiterated its commitment to achieve soil healthiness and fertility towards a better food nutrition and security in the country, just as scientists expressed disatisfaction on its management.

 The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food ( FMAFS), state, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi said this last Tuesday at the 48th soil science annual conference in Abuja.

Sen. Abdullahi stated that the impact of climate change on soil management has necessitated the need for its well management and healthiness towards food security, pointing that " Soil has become the world's most vulnerable resource as a result of climate change and land degradation. 

The consequences of these twin problems are profound, affecting ecosystem services including food security, water quality and availability, human health, and the livelihood of many", said the minister.

This year's annual conference is tagged ” Soil Health and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) for a Resilient Food Security System”

Sen. Abdullahi however promised Nigerian farmers the readiness of the FG to ensure soil management using " Soil Health Card Scheme" towards sustainable agriculture through judicious application of fertilizer at all locations with crops specification.

 However, some soil experts have lamented on the government stoppage of funding to the Institute in charge of the soil management saying that the promises to farmers' production increase through efficient use of soil would be hypocritical without proper funding of its management through the appropriate Institute.

Meanwhile, Prof. Jibril Jibril, President, Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN) has hailed the conference for its aptness to food security and efficient soil management as he commended the FMAFS for its introduction of soil health card management scheme, saying it would improve soil health and fertility, increase agricutural productivity as it will mitigate climate change challenges.

Jubril said that " when the soil is destroyed, the nation is also destroyed and the important role being played by soil in food production has shown the need for Nigeria to take the issue of soil management seriously" 

Also the outgoing president of Nigeria Institute of Soil Science, Prof. Ayoade Ogunkunle advocated for more collaboration with the Ministry.