FG unveils farmers’ soil health scheme
The Federal Government has launched the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) — a nationwide initiative aimed at equipping farmers with practical knowledge and digital insights into soil management to improve productivity, enhance food quality, and increase farmers’ income.
Unveiling the scheme in Abuja, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Aliyu Abdullahi, stated that the NFSHS aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for food security and agricultural transformation. He described the programme as a bold step toward sustainable land use, climate-smart agriculture, and regenerative farming practices across Nigeria.
According to Abdullahi, the initiative seeks to revolutionise the way farmers understand and manage soil health by providing real-time insights into soil conditions, enabling them to apply the right fertilisers, adopt efficient cultivation techniques, and achieve higher yields.
“The objectives include assessing soil health status, ensuring proper fertiliser use, promoting regenerative farming, enhancing food security, and enabling data-driven insights,” he said.
He highlighted the key benefits of the scheme as increased crop yield, improved produce quality, sustainable land utilisation, efficient input use, and informed policy formulation for agricultural development.
Abdullahi further explained that beyond the science, the NFSHS is designed to empower farmers with both tools and knowledge. “When a farmer understands their soil, they can plan better, harvest better, and pass on healthier land to their children. When we care for the soil, the soil cares for us. And when farmers are informed, they can thrive,” he stated.
He concluded that the launch marked “the beginning of a new season where every Nigerian farmer cultivates with knowledge, power, and peace of mind for a renewed hope.”
Source: Punch NG
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The NFSHS directly supports the federal government’s vision for food security by addressing one of the most fundamental factors in agriculture—soil health. Its data-driven framework aligns well with the national transition toward evidence-based agricultural policies.
- Empowering Farmers with Knowledge and Data
By offering real-time insights into soil nutrients and deficiencies, the initiative bridges a long-standing gap between research institutions and farmers. This empowers producers to make informed decisions on fertiliser application and crop rotation, reducing waste and improving efficiency. - Driving Regenerative and Climate-Smart Agriculture
The emphasis on regenerative and climate-smart practices signals a paradigm shift from extractive farming toward soil restoration. This not only enhances productivity but also contributes to carbon sequestration and climate resilience in Nigerian agriculture. - Boosting Input Efficiency and Reducing Production Costs
The NFSHS can help farmers avoid overuse of fertilisers and inputs, which often deplete soil biology and increase production costs. Optimising input use enhances profitability while maintaining ecological balance. - Potential for Policy and Private Sector Synergy
With access to aggregated soil data, policymakers and agribusinesses can design targeted interventions and precision services. This can foster partnerships between government, agri-tech firms, and fertiliser companies for more localised solutions. - Challenges to Watch
Implementation success will depend on robust extension systems, digital infrastructure, and farmer sensitisation. Without strong institutional follow-through, the programme risks remaining a policy announcement rather than a field-level transformation.
Conclusion
The Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme represents a forward-thinking initiative that prioritises the foundation of agriculture — the soil itself. By combining scientific data, digital tools, and farmer empowerment, the federal government has taken a step toward a more sustainable and productive agri-food system. If effectively implemented, the NFSHS could transform Nigeria’s farming landscape from subsistence to knowledge-driven production.
