Abuja: The Federal Government has announced an ambitious plan to deliver soil test-based advisory services to over 10 million farmers by 2027, aiming to enhance productivity, nutrition, and incomes across the nation. This initiative was revealed by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, during the unveiling of the Readiness Assessment of Sub-Nationals for the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the government plans to manage approximately five million hectares using improved soil practices, which include the use of organic fertilizers, lime application, cover crops, and agroforestry systems. Digital soil health cards will be distributed to farmers across all 774 local government areas utilizing mobile technology. The readiness assessment will identify degraded soils, gaps in soil testing access, and capacity constraints in delivering soil advisory services nationwide. This assessment is expected to guide investments for optimal impact in nutrition, resilience, and productivity, particularly under the 2026 budget framework.
Sen. Abdullahi emphasized the necessity of strong policies, robust institutions, modern infrastructure, and coordinated partnerships to address soil health on a large scale. The report, which guides the alignment of public and private investments, is based on fieldwork, laboratory audits, policy analysis, stakeholder consultations, and data validation across states. It covers five key pillars: policy and governance, institutional capacity, technical readiness, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and evaluation systems.
The NFSHS aims to tackle soil degradation, enhance nutrient efficiency, and fortify the scientific foundation of food production. Abdullahi highlighted the challenges posed by decades of nutrient depletion, erosion, flooding, and poor land use, which have diminished soil fertility and increased farmer vulnerability. He underscored the critical importance of soil health to food security and national survival, cautioning that neglect could threaten development goals.
The scheme will expand soil testing through mobile laboratories and the Nigerian Soil Information System, in collaboration with development partners such as GIZ. It will also promote the use of organic fertilizers, biochar, lime application, and improved extension services supported by digital tools. Key milestones include the development of the concept note, establishment of technical committees, soil health card design, and creation of the national soil information system. There will also be integration into the ECOWAS fertilizer hub and provision of laboratory equipment to 12 states.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, noted that soil health has become a national security priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The government is working to transform agriculture into a climate-resilient sector through large-scale soil testing and the establishment of laboratories. The readiness assessment will help identify gaps, strengths, and priorities in extension services, input systems, and data platforms.