The Federal Government has harped on the need for farmers to adopt enhanced soil health practices and climate-smart agriculture for the improvement of the nation’s food and nutrition security.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, stated this at the 48th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN) with the theme, “Soil Health and Climate-Smart Agriculture for Resilient Food Security System” held at the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja.
He noted that the nation cannot afford to lag behind in adopting smart agricultural practices.
He revealed that soil health and climate-smart agriculture are crucial to the establishment of a resilient food security system, adding that soil health is the foundation of sustainable agriculture, while climate-smart farming is essential for adapting to climate change.
Abdullahi stressed that soil has become the world’s most vulnerable resource as a result of climate change and land degradation, adding that the consequences of these problems were profound which affects ecosystem services, including food security, water quality/availability, human health and the livelihood of many citizens.
He said, “addressing soil degradation and climate change is a fundamental challenge for sustainable agriculture. Climate change poses an even greater challenge to our arable land as was noted by President Bola Tinubu, in his speech at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on the 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.”
The minister emphasised that all these challenges require not just a change in tactics and approach but also the 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.”
The minister further revealed that the ministry is currently promoting the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHCS) as a key priority and significant intervention for sustainable agriculture.
Abdullahi noted that the 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, among others.
He, therefore, called for strong collaboration and synergy that would support the success of the initiative, noting that, “together, we have the power to create a resilient food security system that would benefit everyone.”
In his opening remarks, Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services Department, Mr. Olanipekun Oshadiya, revealed that the purpose of the conference was to discuss various issues around soil health and climate change and the implications on the country’s agriculture, health and social well-being of the citizenry.
He noted that the conference would bring together relevant stakeholders to highlight the crucial role of soil health in stimulating sustainable pro-poor productivity growth in the agricultural sector and to agree on some soil health initiatives, adding that if the objectives and aspirations are to be realised, maintaining and improving soil health is of great importance.
The President of Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), Prof. Mohammed Jibrin, in his remarks, stated that the conference was a landmark, noting that the society is working with the ministry to organise the conference and discuss issues relating to soil.
He commended the ministry for the inauguration of the soil health card scheme for sustainable agriculture, revealing that it would promote site-specific and crop-specific soil health management practices, along with the careful application of fertilisers.
Part of highlights of the event was the presentation of a plaque and proceedings of the SSSN to the Minister of State, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi.
In attendance were representatives of World Bank, Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (Acresal), OCP Africa, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Indorama and Soil Values, among others.