The federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has restated the federal government’s commitment to prioritise soil health and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) towards ensuring the nation’s food security.
Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, the minister of state for agriculture and food security, stated this in his keynote address at the 48th annual conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), which was held in Abuja today with the themeSoil Health and Climate-Smart Agriculture (Csa) for Resilient Food Security System.”.
According to Abdullahi, the government is committed to ensuring the nation’s food and nutrition security. Therefore, it is very important to prioritise soil health and climate-smart agriculture, allocate resources to research and development, support policy and institutional frameworks, encourage investment from the private sector, and empower smallholder farmers.
He stated that soil health and climate-smart agriculture are pivotal to the establishment of a resilient food security system. Soil health is the foundation of sustainable agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture is essential for adapting to climate change.
“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. Addressing soil degradation and climate change is a fundamental challenge for sustainable agriculture.”
While noting that climate change poses an even greater challenge to our arable land, as was noted by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president, in his speech to the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA),
He quoted the president saying, “Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land. Our south is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion. In the middle, the rainy season brings floods that kill and displace multitudes.” All these challenges require not just a change in tactics and approach but an injection of new knowledge, innovations, skills, techniques, technology, and value orientation.
He stated that the solutions include climate-smart practices such as conservation tillage and cover cropping, agroforestry and reforestation, the cultivation of climate-resilient crops and livestock, integrated pest management and nutrient management, and soil testing and analysis.
The minister further informed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is currently promoting the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHC) as a key priority and significant intervention for sustainable agriculture. NFSHCs is aimed at promoting sustainable soil management and the judicious use of fertilisers at the location and crop-specific. As part of NFSHCs, the establishment of soil testing laboratories is planned, with a focus on the state/local government level.
“It is important to note that NFSHCs would achieve improved soil health and fertility, increased agricultural productivity and resilience, enhanced food security and nutrition, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration, improved livelihoods and income for small-scale farmers, and better adaptation and mitigation of climate change.”
The minister further urged for strong collaboration and synergy that supports success staying together. We have the power to create a resilient food security system that benefits everyone.
In his remarks, Ayo Ogunkunle, president of the SSSN council, noted that the SSSN is a professional body that brings together all soil scientists to meet annually to discuss research findings and identify areas for further research.
He noted that the 2024 conference was a landmark as for the first time food and science are bringing the technical expertise to organise the conference and discuss the issues, stating that the issue of climate change is a reality as even the most ardent sceptics have accepted its existence.
In his words, as you know, the soil is a living thing, and if you allow it to get destroyed, you are destroying your nation. The present administration has understood the soil’s importance and is working with us to ensure that we treat our soils with science-based knowledge.
