The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has pledged to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) to enhance soil health and promote sustainable agricultural production across Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) in Abuja, the Head of IITA Station, Dr. Beatrice Aighewi, said the partnership aims to strengthen food systems by improving soil fertility and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity.
The NFSHS is a national soil fertility management programme designed to equip farmers with real-time data on soil conditions, enabling smarter, cost-effective, and climate-resilient farming practices.
Aighewi described soil health as the foundation of food security, stressing that “whatever you do in agriculture must take soil health into consideration.”
She noted that IITA currently hosts the ECOWAS Centre of Excellence Soil Laboratory in Ibadan, which serves as a regional hub for fertiliser and soil health for West Africa and the Sahel.
“Our goal is to ensure that the soils in which farmers are planting remain healthy because soil has life,” she said. “A healthy soil yields better crops, more income for farmers, and sustainable livelihoods.”
She urged farmers to take advantage of the NFSHS initiative, adding, “Visit the soil labs, get the information you need, and use it to improve your yields.”
Also speaking, Prof. Vincent Aduramigba, Visiting Scientist at the ECOWAS Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health, said the hub provides technical expertise and innovation to boost soil fertility, food security, and climate-resilient agriculture.
“IITA is providing the scientific and technical support needed to help Nigerian farmers improve productivity and livelihoods through research-based agronomy practices,” he said.
He disclosed that the Federal Government plans to establish 774 soil health laboratories nationwide to help rural farmers test soil quality and adopt science-driven farming methods.
Similarly, Prof. Jubril Mohammed Jubril, President of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), emphasised that healthy soil underpins all agricultural activities, from crop to livestock production.
He said the NFSHS would provide guidance not only to farmers but also to fertiliser companies, helping them produce the right types of fertilisers suited for specific regions across the country.
“Our members are ready to support this initiative, which we have long advocated for,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see coordinated efforts at different levels of government now taking soil health seriously.”
