FG BEGINS VALIDATION OF FIRST NATIONAL SOIL POLICY, USING WARD-LEVEL DATA TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY, CUT COSTS
The Federal Government has begun validation of Nigeria’s first National Agricultural Land and Soil Management Policy (NALSMP), leveraging ward-level soil data to help farmers cut costs, increase yields, and build climate resilience. The policy is targeted for finalization within the next 6 to 8 months.
Declaring open the 3-Day National Consultation Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja today, the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated that the consultation comes at a critical time due to a food security emergency, rising input costs, and worsening climate disruptions.
According to him, “Nigeria’s food system faces significant challenges. The population is increasing, input costs are escalating, and climate-related disruptions are becoming more frequent. Central to these issues is our soil.”
Sen. Abdullahi highlighted that “Healthy soil is key to lowering food prices and making our farms more resilient to droughts and floods. Without intentional measures, the advancements we achieve in seeds, mechanization, and financing will be compromised.”
The Minister said the workshop will focus on four areas. First, validating policy actions that are straightforward for farmers to implement so the policy translates into practical steps at the farm level. Second, aligning the roles and responsibilities of the Federal, State, and Local Governments in land and soil governance to ensure coordinated implementation.
Third, connecting soil health to climate adaptation under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project. The Minister noted that healthy soils rich in organic matter retain moisture during dry spells and reduce runoff during heavy rainfall.
Finally, he added, it will create avenues for private sector investment in soil restoration, including incentives for soil testing, organic fertilizers, and digital advisory services to ensure sustainability beyond government funding.
He pointed out that data from the Nigeria Soil Information System (NiSIS) and the Nigeria Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) will enable personalized recommendations on soil pH, organic matter, and fertilizer use for farmers at the LGA and ward level.
For the first time, the Minister said, “fertilizer subsidy will be linked to soil health data” to ensure government support is targeted and effective.
Sen Abdullahi charged farmers to see themselves as stewards of the land and to embrace practices that nourish the soil, not just the crops, such as cover crops, crop rotation, organic inputs, and minimal tillage.
He also called on State Governments to integrate soil health into Agricultural Development Plans; Researchers and Academia to translate NFSHS data into clear, localized recommendations; the Private Sector to invest in soil testing and digital advisory services; and urged Development Partners to support implementation, monitoring, and capacity building.
“This policy must be applicable across all regions of Nigeria. It will be ineffective if it remains merely a document in Abuja,” the Minister said.
On Federal Government achievements and commitment, the Minister highlighted the rollout of NiSIS, integration of NFSHS into the ECOWAS Regional Fertilizer Hub, partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and deployment of modern soil laboratory equipment to 15 states.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhance soil testing through NiSIS, and collaborate with the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources on land restoration under ACReSAL.
“The soil does not deceive. When we nurture it, it sustains us. Conversely, when we mistreat it, it hits back with diminished yields, flooding, and poverty,” Sen. Abdullahi concluded.
In his Welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi stated
” Healthy soils are the bedrock of sustainable agriculture. They support crop productivity, regulate water, store carbon, conserve biodiversity and sustain millions of farming families”.
Dr Ogunbiyi pointed out that ” we expect to undertake a comprehensive clause-by-clause review of the draft policy; validate its strategic pillars of Protection, Restoration, Governance, Financing and Data Management;
He added that ” it will clearly define the complementary roles of the Federal Government, State Governments, Local Government Councils, development partners and other stakeholders; and agree on a practical roadmap for policy approval, implementation and domestication across the Federation”.
He urged participants “to to remain focused on the larger objective before us. Let us leave this workshop with a policy that is not merely another document on the shelf, but a practical, implementable and nationally owned framework capable of restoring our soils, protecting our agricultural landscapes, enhancing farmers’ productivity and strengthening Nigeria’s food security for present and future generations”
Participants at the workshop include representatives from ACReSAL, OCP Africa, IFDC, AGRA, Sasakawa, FAO, IFAD, World Bank, NiMET, Farmers Associations, Women and Youth Groups, Academia, and the Private Sector.
