Minister advocates science-driven strategies for agricultural sustainability
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has called for the adoption of science-based approaches to better understand and manage Nigeria’s soil resources, describing soil health as the bedrock of sustainable food systems.
Speaking at the 49th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), holding in Kano in collaboration with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University Kano (BUK), the Minister urged soil scientists to champion innovation in agricultural practices.
“Research is essential to understanding the condition of our soils and devising strategies for improvement. We must embrace science-based approaches like agroecology, integrated soil fertility management, and conservation tillage,” Abdullahi stated.
He emphasized the vital connection between soil health and national food security, declaring, “No soil, no farmer. And if there is no farmer, there is no food. It’s that simple.”
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SolaceBase reports that Senator Abdullahi praised the conference theme, “Enhancing Soil Health and Resilience through Research and Innovation,” describing it as timely and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural transformation.
He stressed the importance of integrating modern technologies into farming systems to promote resilience, citing innovations such as biofertilizers and microbial soil inoculants as key tools.
He also highlighted the recently launched Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme as a major stride in improving soil fertility and fostering climate-smart agriculture, urging collaboration among stakeholders for its success.
In addition, the Minister introduced the concept of Geographical Indications (GIs), encouraging researchers to identify and certify unique agricultural products tied to specific Nigerian regions.
“There’s a type of pepper from Kano and onions from the Borno-Yobe axis that are distinct because of the soil. These are candidates for GI certification,” he noted.
While formally declaring the conference open, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a science-driven agricultural sector and called on soil scientists to lead the charge in achieving food security across the nation.
Earlier, the President of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), Professor Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin, urged soil scientists nationwide to intensify their efforts in research and innovation to combat soil degradation and build resilient food systems.
Professor Jibrin underscored the need to address climate change and food insecurity by restoring soil health through evidence-based practices.
“Our soils—silent, yet foundational—are crying out for attention. But with science and innovation, we can reverse the trend of degradation and secure the future of food in Nigeria,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) for its continued support, particularly through initiatives such as the Soil Health Card Scheme, and applauded international partners like OCP Africa and the Soil Values Program for empowering young scientists and boosting soil productivity across the continent.
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