Nigeria Launches Soil Health Initiative for Climate Goals

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a readiness assessment to save farmlands and meet climate goals, spearheaded by Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security. The initiative aims to map soil degradation and establish 774 soil testing laboratories across local government areas, creating the Nigeria Soil Information System (NISI) to provide farmers with soil health cards and crop-specific fertilizer recommendations.

During the launch in Abuja, Abdullahi emphasized the importance of healthy soil for food security and the nation's future, noting that Nigeria cannot sustain itself without it. The initiative aligns with Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0, targeting a 0.4% reduction in total emissions by 2035.

The scheme will also facilitate access to soil tests for smallholder farmers and integrate soil data into financial platforms to unlock loans. The government plans to establish soil desks in all states to manage data and support agricultural development programs.