The federal government has launched a nationwide readiness assessment under the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme to map soil conditions, guide agricultural spending, and improve farm productivity.

The initiative, developed in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and other partners, was unveiled in Abuja on Monday.

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, said the assessment would generate data to support food security efforts and align Nigeria’s agricultural sector with climate commitments.

He said the programme would map soil degradation across the country, establish 774 soil testing laboratories, and deploy a Nigeria Soil Information System to deliver soil health cards and crop-specific fertiliser recommendations to farmers.

Abdullahi said the exercise would provide federal, state, and local governments with data to guide resource allocation and improve efficiency in agricultural interventions.

He noted that prolonged nutrient depletion, erosion, and climate stress have weakened farmlands, affecting yields and threatening national food security.

The minister said the scheme would also assess the capacity of laboratories, extension services, and private operators to handle soil testing for up to two million farms annually.

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He added that the initiative would integrate soil data with financial systems to improve farmers’ access to credit and insurance.

According to him, the programme supports Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions and agricultural policy frameworks, including efforts to promote climate-smart farming practices.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the assessment would establish a data-driven approach to managing soil health and agricultural productivity.

He said the initiative includes plans to deploy mobile soil testing services, train extension agents, and replace generic fertiliser use with site-specific recommendations.

The government also plans to work with state governments through Soil Health Compacts, which will outline funding and implementation commitments.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) expressed support for the programme, noting its potential to strengthen agricultural output and food systems in Nigeria.

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.

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